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KEY TAKEAWAYS: - Justin Langer claimed he would have been "divorced" by his family and mates if he coached England. - The former Australia coach ruled out ever taking the role or singing the English national anthem. - Langer praised Stephen Fleming's tactical mind for taking on a major international project. Justin Langer joke his wife would've divorced him if he accepted England Test coach job Former Australia opener and head coach Justin Langer has offered a hilarious explanation for why he could never take charge of the England Test team, revealing that crossing the Ashes divide would have caused a total domestic and social disaster. Speaking in an entertaining broadcast exchange alongside long-time teammate Ricky Ponting, Langer poked fun at the extreme fallout he would have faced back home had he ever accepted the job. Speculation surrounding Langer and the England coaching role had surfaced periodically following major coaching shake-ups in the international game. However, the Western Australian legend made it clear that taking the reins of Australia's fiercest rival was a line he could never bring himself to cross. MORE: Why Australia should drop Marnus Labuschagne from Tests Langer gives his take on the English Test coach role When asked by 7Cricket's Tom Morris whether he was approached to coach England in recent months, Langer delivered a candid and amusing response about the personal consequences of accepting such an offer. "No, I probably would've got divorced if I did and probably not just from my wife," Langer joked while Ponting laughed alongside him. Justin Langer reveals the real reason why he didn't consider becoming England's coach — Brutal Truth (@sarkarstix) August 23, 2026 "If I had become England coach, my wife would have divorced me. Even close mates like Ponting and Hayden would have stopped talking to me." pic.twitter.com/L1inHpNJjT "I would have been divorced, literally, from my wife and daughters but also from Ricky (Ponting) and (Matthew) Hayden and some of my other mates." Beyond the immediate backlash from family and friends, Langer pointed out the emotional impossibility of standing under the opposition's flag, particularly during pre-match national anthems. "Coming back to it, it's a big job," Langer explained. "From my point of view, and a lot of it was talked about, the thought of singing the England national anthem." When Morris pressed if he would ever sing it, Langer laughed off the suggestion immediately: "Oh, man? No." Langer also touched upon Stephen Fleming taking on a prominent coaching project, backing the former New Zealand captain to succeed in a high-pressure setup. "I think it was just perfect timing. Stephen Fleming had come out of Chennai, and they saw the opportunity and grabbed hold of Stephen Fleming. He'll be calm. He's got a great cricket mind," Langer added. MORE: How many Test matches have finished in two days? Why crossing the Ashes divide remains cricket's ultimate taboo Langer’s light-hearted remarks underline the intense cultural weight and fierce tribalism that still dictate the Ashes rivalry. For players who forged their reputations in the heat of brutal Australia-England battles, taking up a leadership position with the old enemy represents a bridge too far. That remains true for Langer, regardless of professional prestige or financial compensation. While modern cricket coaching has become increasingly globalised, with tactical minds routinely hopping between competing national setups and franchise leagues, the emotional divide between Australian and English cricket remains uniquely rigid for certain icons. Langer's humorous refusal to even entertain the thought shows that for legends of his generation, Ashes loyalty remains entirely non-negotiable. For all the latest cricket news, opinion, and commentary and to share your voice, head to our Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) pages