Ben Stokes wants to remain in the game after retiring from international cricket and would love the opportunity to coach England in the future.

Stokes called time on his distinguished England career at the end of June, with his decision announced midway through a third-Test defeat to New Zealand at Trent Bridge. 

Stokes played 122 Tests, 114 ODIs and 43 T20Is for England, scoring 11,321 runs and taking 352 wickets across all formats combined.

He helped England to memorable World Cup victories in the 50-over format in 2019 and the T20 edition three years later. As Test captain under Brendon McCullum, Stokes initially earned plaudits for helping England transition to their big-hitting, 'Bazball' approach, though he was unable to regain The Ashes in two series against Australia.

Stokes has repeatedly dismissed suggestions that he could return to the England setup as a player, but he will not rule out doing so in a different role.

"I want to be a coach," Stokes told Stuart Broad and Jos Buttler on the For The Love of Cricket podcast. 

"I know what I want to do in terms of staying within the game, which is to be a coach. Would I love to be coach of England one day? Absolutely. I would love to do that. 

"Do I think it's going to happen? I don't know. No idea. I just really like the idea of being in some form of leadership, away from playing."

Stokes' international retirement was followed by McCullum losing his job as England's red-ball coach, though he remains in charge of the white-ball teams.

Asked if he was surprised to see McCullum relieved of his duties, Stokes said: "I was. If I hadn't made the decision that I made, Baz would still be coach. So it's my fault."

Stephen Fleming was announced as McCullum's successor last week, with Joe Root returning to the role of Test captain, having previously had five years in charge before making way for Stokes in 2022.

"There's so much depth and so much ability." 

Root on taking the team forward and leading the next generation.

Click below to hear the full interview:

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 1, 2026

And while Stokes is confident Root will be a success in his second stint as captain, he hopes the 35-year-old is able to insulate himself from any external criticism. 

"I love Rooty. I wish him nothing but success," said Stokes. "I hope he goes on to achieve amazing things in his role of captain, and I think he's going to really enjoy it with Flem. He's a great man – I've worked with Flem before.

"But I told Joe, 'My only worry is you'. That's all I really care about now with Rooty, just because I saw what he went through and how much he put himself through.

"He just always put the team first; he always came second. That is my only concern with it, knowing what he went through last time he was in charge of the team.

"But I wish him all the success in the world. I'm sure he's going to do great, and I'm looking forward to seeing what the team does going forward."

Root's first series back as Test captain will be against Pakistan, with Headingley the venue for the first match, which begins on August 19.