Langer turns down short-term extension, resigns as Australia coach

ADELAIDE : Justin Langer resigned as coach of Australia on Saturday, just weeks after leading the side to a 4-0 Ashes series win over England, with Cricket Australia saying he had declined a short-term extension to his contract.

Langer's departure came after he held contract discussions with Cricket Australia on Friday, with his current deal set to expire in June.

Australia also won last year's Twenty20 World Cup for the first time under Langer but there have been reports of player discontent over his coaching style.

Langer was reported to have reacted angrily during a recent meeting with Cricket Australia over his contract and had been asked to reapply for the role.

His management company, Dynamic Sports & Entertainment Group (DSEG), said his resignation was effective immediately.

"DSEG confirms that our client Justin Langer has this morning tendered his resignation as coach of the Australian men's cricket team," the company tweeted.

Cricket Australia said in a statement Langer was offered the extension on Friday.

"Justin was offered a short-term extension to his current contract, which sadly he has opted not to accept," it said, adding that Andrew McDonald would act as interim head coach with a test tour of Pakistan just weeks away.

"The contract extension offered to Justin was the result of a thorough review process that evaluated many factors including future requirements of the team and the upcoming extensive schedule of fixtures.

"It included the opportunity to defend the T20 World Cup title in Australia at the end of this year. Justin informed CA this morning he was not accepting the offer and would resign with immediate effect."

Langer took over as head coach in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in