Freddie Flintoff has bagged himself a new job as he continues to recover from a serious crash while working with BBC programme Top Gear.
The cricket legend has been named the new head coach of the England Lions over the next year.
Flintoff has been keen to break into coaching after recovering from a horrific crash on the set of Top Gear in 2022.
The resulting crash left him with severe facial injuries and he was out of the public eye for months before re-appearing for England’s four-match ODI series against New Zealand in September 2023.
Freddie Flintoff has been named the new head coach of the England Lions
PA
Since then, it has always been Flintoff’s ambition to move into coaching – a dream he realised with the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred – but he has since been introduced to the England set-up after being appointed head coach of the England Lions.
The 46-year-old will take up his new role next month with the Lions set to face South Africa and Australia in winter tours.
Next summer, the Lions will play India A and Zimbabwe at home.
“I’m incredibly excited to take on this role with the England Lions,” said Flintoff.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to work with some of the best up-and-coming talent in the country and to help shape the future of the men’s game.
“It’s an exciting time for English cricket, and I’m passionate about inspiring the next generation to take the sport forward.
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“We’ve got a strong foundation, and I believe we can create something truly special.”
Flintoff became a national hero for his performances during the epic Ashes victory of 2005, which earned him the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
In total, the Lancashire-born star played 79 Tests for England between 1998 and 2009 before moving into television presenting after retirement.
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Freddie Flintoff has loved getting into coaching
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He joined Top Gear as a lead presenter in 2019 but after his life-threatening crash, he stood down from the role.
Speaking on his documentary Field Of Dreams, the cricket legend admitted the incident still haunts him.
“I don’t know what completely better is,” he said.
“I am what I am now. I’m different to what I was. It’s something I will have to deal with for the rest of my life. Better? No, different.”
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Freddie Flintoff survived a horrific crash while working with Top Gear
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England managing director Rob Key has always maintained contact with Flintoff and the two are close friends.
He invited him to join up with the England squad towards the end of last summer to join up with the camp and try out a bit of coaching.
Flintoff has loved being back with in his natural habitat among cricketers and decided to try his hand at coaching.
Key said of the father-of-three: “Freddie is loving coaching. Sometimes it is a trait that is not spoken about enough – he is kind. All of the things Fred can be: funny, extrovert. He is kind. It is an underrated quality.”