2026-03-29 09:33:11
Ian Bell “always” knew he wanted to be a coach.
The 43-year-old batsman retired in 2020 and while he did some media work, he didn’t feel “involved” enough with the game, so is pleased to have found his way back into the dressing room in various roles for England’s under-19s and Lions, Derbyshire, various franchise league, and consultancy positions with Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
And Ian feels each new job has taught him a lot.
He told Guardian Sport: “In my head I always wanted to coach. Some of the people I have admired most in the game – guys like Andy Flower and Graham Gooch, two of the best – made me want to follow them into it. I tried a bit of media work but I always left the ground a bit … I wanted just more involvement, that rollercoaster of being emotionally invested.
“I felt it was important to get away from Warwickshire and build up new experiences. That was the plan. In my view, if you stick around, you start coaching guys you played with, friendships possibly complicate things, old routines carry on etc. That kind of thing.
“And at a Test county, you only see one side of it. Part of the appeal of Derbyshire was both working with Mickey Arthur and – don’t get me wrong – the fact it wasn’t the flashiest place. Tight budgets, tough decisions. I now have a far more rounded understanding of the landscape.”
While he enjoyed huge success in his playing career, Ian regrets not pacing himself in the later years.
Asked if he’d change anything, he said: “Not much, maybe the end of my Test career. Before that last tour [England v Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in late 2015], I needed a breather after 11 years on the road. Maybe six months off.
“England were actually on board with it. But I decided to keep fighting, and wasn’t clear‑minded. That was a lesson learned and something I will take into my coaching.”
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