Chennai Super Kings have begun shaping the next phase of their coaching setup following Stephen Fleming’s departure, with Brendon McCullum among the names linked with one of the IPL’s most significant vacancies.
The franchise is expected to appoint an overseas Head Coach and has already attracted interest from multiple candidates. According to a report by Cricbuzz journalist Vijay Tagore, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan and whole-time Director Rupa Gurunath will make the appointment after consulting former Captain MS Dhoni and current Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad.
The decision will bring a new figure into a role that had remained remarkably stable for nearly two decades. Fleming joined CSK as a player for the inaugural IPL season in 2008 before taking charge as Head Coach in 2009, beginning a coaching tenure that ultimately delivered five IPL championships.
CSK begin life after Fleming
Fleming’s exit in July 2026 brought an end to one of the IPL’s longest-running coach-franchise partnerships. He subsequently took charge of England’s men’s Test team, leaving Chennai to identify the person who will inherit the structure he helped build.
CSK have yet to settle on that successor, but the level of interest gives the franchise options as it evaluates its next appointment. The franchise has also deferred considering a potential move for Hardik Pandya until its new Head Coach is appointed.
Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan told Cricbuzz: “We have not started applying our minds on this. First, we will have a coach. We have got calls from many interested candidates. We will sit and finalise.”
CSK’s next Head Coach will be appointed before the franchise turns its attention to subsequent squad decisions.
McCullum brings strong links to Chennai
McCullum’s emergence in the discussion carries several connections to both CSK and the outgoing Head Coach. The former New Zealand Captain previously represented Chennai during his IPL playing career and played under Fleming, with the pair maintaining a close relationship beyond their time together as players.
He also has established IPL coaching experience after previously serving as Kolkata Knight Riders Head Coach. McCullum currently oversees England’s white-ball teams after relinquishing responsibility for their Test side, the role now occupied by Fleming.
The possibility of McCullum returning to the IPL has also been linked to the England and Wales Cricket Board potentially allowing members of its coaching staff to undertake IPL assignments when scheduling permits.
There is, however, no confirmed indication that CSK have formally approached McCullum. Suggestions that Fleming played a role in positioning McCullum for the Chennai vacancy are similarly unsupported by concrete evidence.
Hussey and Morkel offer familiar alternatives
McCullum is not the only former CSK player connected with the vacancy. Michael Hussey is another potential candidate, offering the franchise an option already embedded within its existing coaching structure.
The former Australia batter has served as CSK’s Batting Coach since the franchise returned to the IPL in 2018. His long association with Chennai, first as a player and subsequently as a coach, gives him extensive familiarity with the franchise and its cricketing environment.
Former South Africa All-rounder Albie Morkel has also been linked with the position. Another prominent member of CSK’s earlier IPL teams, Morkel recently became Head Coach of Joburg Super Kings after Fleming stepped away from that role.
The three names therefore present different possibilities for Chennai: McCullum offers high-profile international and IPL coaching experience, Hussey provides continuity from within the existing setup, while Morkel combines his history with the franchise with more recent experience leading another team in the Super Kings network.
A major appointment awaits CSK
Whoever succeeds Fleming will take over after an unusually long period of continuity in Chennai’s dugout. His tenure from 2009 to 2026 made the Head Coach position synonymous with one individual across most of CSK’s IPL history, meaning the next appointment will represent a significant change for the franchise.
CSK’s leadership will now determine which candidate is best placed to take that structure forward, with Viswanathan and Gurunath set to consult Dhoni and Gaikwad before finalising the appointment.
For now, McCullum remains part of the conversation rather than a confirmed choice, while Hussey and Morkel provide other potential routes. CSK’s next concrete step is the appointment itself as the franchise prepares for its first IPL season under a new Head Coach since 2009.
