"I think the England white-ball job is an exciting prospect for anyone" - Kumar Sangakkara on being linked with the vacant role 

Former Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara has admitted that the vacant England white-ball head coach role is an exciting prospect. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is on the hunt for a new candidate after Matthew Mott's stint ended after being two years in charge since 2022.

Several names have already been linked with the role, with Marcus Trescothick currently managing the team on an interim basis. Sangakkara has been one of the names on the wishlist, if reports are to be believed, primarily due to his close working relationship with skipper Jos Buttler during the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Sangakkara has been Rajasthan Royals' (RR) director of cricket since 2021 and guided the franchise to the finals of the 2022 edition.

"Well, I know (my name) has been mentioned for some reason, but there has not been any approach as such. I think the England white-ball job is an exciting prospect for anyone, but there are so many good candidates out there. I am very happy at the moment. The Rajasthan Royals experience has been very fulfilling and it has been a job I have really enjoyed over the last four years," Sangakkara told the PA News Agency.

Andrew Flintoff, Michael Hussey, and Jonathan Trott are some of the other names that are being considered by the ECB,

England and Mott parted ways after a dismal white-ball run

Matthew Mott's stint in 2022 began on the right note with bilateral series wins and the 2022 T20 World Cup triumph. However, since then, England have struggled to create an impression. The Jos Buttler-led side failed to defend both their white-ball titles following a dismal 2023 ODI World Cup campaign in India, and a semi-final finish at the 2024 T20 World Cup.

“I am immensely proud to have coached the England men's team. I am incredibly proud of the character and passion that the team has displayed during that period, including a magnificent T20 World Cup victory in 2022," Mott stated following his exit (via Cricket County).

Former England skipper Eoin Morgan has suggested that the ECB should go after some of the top candidates in the world to appoint the new head coach. He recommended names like Ricky Ponting, Stephen Fleming, Rahul Dravid, and current England red-ball coach, Brendon McCullum for the role.