Andrew Flintoff Steps Down as Northern Superchargers Coach Amid Contract Dispute

Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has exited his role as head coach of Northern Superchargers, citing a lack of financial valuation aligned with his stature, as the franchise undergoes ownership changes ahead of the 2026 season.

By Chris Posiano

October 9, 2025 at 12:58 AM

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Andrew Flintoff, the iconic former England cricketer and current head coach of the Northern Superchargers, has announced his departure from the team, stating he feels undervalued financially compared to other head coaches in The Hundred. The 47-year-old, known as "Freddie," led the franchise to a fourth-place finish in 2024 and a spot in the Eliminator this summer before their match against Trent Rockets was abandoned due to rain.

In a recent interview on the Beard Before Wicket podcast, Flintoff revealed he declined a contract offer from the Sun Group, the new majority investors in the franchise. "I'm not in this for the money, but I'm worth more than a quarter of what other head coaches earn," he said, emphasizing his desire to feel respected in his role. The Sun Group, which acquired the franchise earlier this year, had reportedly increased his salary but not to the level Flintoff deemed appropriate.

A spokesperson for the Sun Group acknowledged the discussion, stating, "We extended an offer to Freddie, which was an improvement on his current contract. While we would have preferred to retain his services, we respect his decision." Flintoff's exit comes as the franchise transitions under new leadership, with Yorkshire being the only county to sell its entire stake in the team during the ownership overhaul.

Flintoff, who has also been instrumental in mentoring England's white-ball captain Harry Brook, saw Northern Superchargers rise from last place in 2022 to sixth and fifth in the subsequent seasons. His presence was a draw for fans, often leading to long queues for autographs at Headingley. However, he expressed regret over leaving, saying, "We were building something special, and I’d have loved to see it through."

The change in ownership has sparked speculation about potential links between The Hundred teams and their parent IPL franchises. Sun Group, which owns the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League and Sunrisers Eastern Cape in South Africa's SA20, is expected to influence team dynamics. Meanwhile, former New Zealand star Daniel Vettori, currently coaching Birmingham Phoenix, remains tied to Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Trent Rockets face a coaching vacancy after Andy Flower joined London Spirit.