'Going out on a high': 'Grateful' Langer reveals resignation letter, explains why he walked away

Former Australian coach Justin Langer has released the resignation letter he sent to Cricket Australia after deciding not to accept their offer of a six-month contract extension, in the hopes the saga surrounding the final days of his tenure can be closed at last.

News Corp’s Peter Lalor revealed exclusively the full detail of the letter, sent to CA chief executive officer Nick Hockley, acting chairman Richard Freudenstein and team manager Ben Oliver, made available to him ‘so people could understand why he [Langer] took the path he did’.

In it, Langer opens up on the ‘enormous toll’ the public speculation and internal uncertainty over his future has taken on him and his family, while saying he ‘respects the decision’ by the board to move him on.

The Western Australian was reported to be insulted by the small extension offered by the CA board, having believed his success and stature within Australian cricket warranted a multi-year deal; however, he wisely steers clear of that rumour in the letter.

“Having been away from home since the first week of October, yesterday was a tumultuous day, and with quarantine restrictions now that I am back I am unable to do anything publicly at the moment, but I want people to know I am happy with my decision and proud of what I have achieved,” Langer said.

“There has been a great deal of media speculation on my future as the Australian men’s cricket coach over the last 12 months and this has taken an enormous toll on my family. I hope through this time, and throughout my tenure, I have held myself with integrity and dignity.

“Last night I was offered a short-term contract until the end of the T20 World Cup in Australia, with the sentiment of ‘going out on a high’. After careful consideration I have decided not to accept this contract renewal, and as a result I believe it is in everyone’s best interests for the Australian cricket team to begin the next chapter immediately.

“If media reports are correct, several senior players and a couple of support staff don’t support me moving forward, and it is now apparent the CA board, and you Nick, are also keen to see the team move in another direction. I respect that decision.”

Langer, who took over the role in the aftermath of the infamous ‘Sandpapergate’ scandal that tore Australian cricket apart in early 2018, has been the subject of intense scrutiny over his future for 12 months, with repeated leaks to the media showing growing player discontent with Langer’s coaching methods and intensity.

While defending his own conduct, Langer made an effort in the letter to acknowledge the views of the players who had had enough.

“My life has been built on values of honesty, respect, trust, truth, and performance and if that comes across as ‘too intense’ at times, I apologise,” he wrote.

Langer finishes with positive win-loss records in all three formats, including an 4-0 Ashes series win and Australia’s maiden T20 World Cup triumph in the last six months. However, his reign has also included twin series defeats on home soil to India, and regular limited-overs defeats on home soil; while his 15-5-7 win-draw-loss record in Tests comes with the caveat of Australia having not played an overseas five-day game since September 2019.

(Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

Nevertheless, Langer believes Australian cricket is in better shape than it was since he took over – a claim even his most ardent critics must acknowledge – while wishing the team all the best despite the acrimonious split.

“It is said that in any venture, if you leave things in a better place than when you started then you have done your job. Whilst it is not up to me to judge, I hope Australians respect what has been achieved over the last four years in Australian cricket,” Langer wrote.

“From day one I believed it was possible to both win and play the game in the spirit that is now expected from our supporters.

“For the last four years it has been proven this can be achieved and I am very proud of the team for their efforts on and off the cricket field. I hope we have made Australians proud and earned respect from countries around the world.

“Hopefully a good job has been done and I wish the team every success for the future.”

The circumstances of his departure, on the back of a dominant Ashes summer and upset T20 World Cup win, have formed the basis of many Langer defenders’ fury at his departure, most notably former Test greats and teammates such as Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden.

Langer, however, is ‘grateful’ that his recent success allows him to leave with dignity intact.

“In terms of ‘going out on a high’, I am blessed to have been a part of a T20 World Cup-winning squad, an Ashes winning squad, watched the Test team rise to #1 ranked team in the world today, been selected as the Wisden Coach of the Year and been elevated to the Australian cricket Hall of Fame; all this in the last five months,” Langer wrote.

“I am grateful that today, I am going out on a high.

“Australian cricket means the world to me. It has since I was a kid, and I am grateful for the opportunity to play for, and coach our national team.

“I am thankful to the board for the opportunity, and I will take with me many cherished memories and friendships from the last four years.”