Former England captain Michael Vaughan has expressed concerns about the team’s culture and backroom staff, following their humiliating 1-4 defeat in India. Vaughan believes that the team lacks a sense of ruthlessness and that the backroom staff is too soft on players.
Vaughan suggests that England should take a leaf out of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola’s book and create an environment where players are constantly challenged and held accountable. He believes that the team’s current approach, which emphasizes positivity and fun, is not conducive to success.
“I don’t believe they need to rip everything up,” Vaughan wrote in his column for the Daily Telegraph. “They are better playing this way than they would be otherwise. I respect what they are trying to do, and get up early every day to watch them because they have me on the edge of my seat and I know something is going to happen.”
“The great frustration is that they have the talent to be really competitive all over the world but they have blown two big series and in this case it was because their batting failed miserably.”
Vaughan accuses the team management of going too soft on players and says that he understands that there is a pervading sense of positivity, fun, and laughter in the camp, but that may not always bring the desired results.
“Every interview you hear the same stuff, about excitement, opportunity, and fun, that everyone is having the time of their life,” Vaughan said. “I have been around many of them in the last couple of years and their language can be inspiring. I admire some of it, but I can be a bit of an old cynic, and I worry that they are speaking a language that not all of them truly believe, which is dangerous.”
“Certain players will believe it, but not everyone. We can’t all think the same.”
Vaughan adds that victories are what keep the team motivated, not endlessly talking about how much fun they are having. He believes that honesty is also required and that those running the team must not shy away from taking tough calls.
“The team message is never to doubt anything, never admit they were wrong or they could have done things differently,” Vaughan said. “Everything is very cosy. Everyone is mates: players, coaches, backroom staff. That does not breed an environment of ruthlessness.”
Vaughan was also critical of the English players spending time in Abu Dhabi and playing golf in Bengaluru when there were long breaks between Tests. He believes that the team should have used this time to get some cricket into the outside of the team, so they are ready if required, and to keep those in the XI on their toes.
“I do worry it’s a backroom team made up of cheerleaders,” Vaughan said. “That’s based on what I hear in public, and maybe it’s different in the changing room, but players need challenging and questioning at times.”
