Former England Test captain Ben Stokes has revealed that he hopes to become England's head coach after retiring from professional cricket, saying he wants to remain actively involved in the game beyond his playing career.

The 35-year-old all-rounder, who is expected to retire from international cricket in June 2026, said he is already preparing for the next phase of his career by completing his coaching qualifications.

Preparing for Life After Retirement

Speaking on the Love of Cricket podcast, Stokes said he is pursuing his Level-3 coaching certification so that he is ready to transition into coaching once his playing career comes to an end.

"I want all my coaching preparations to be complete when I stop playing. I want to stay involved with cricket," Stokes said.

One of England's greatest modern all-rounders, Stokes has represented his country in 122 Tests, 114 One-Day Internationals and 43 T20 Internationals, while leading the Test side during the aggressive "Bazball" era.

Concern Over Joe Root's Captaincy

Stokes also spoke about England's new Test captain Joe Root, expressing concern about the pressure leadership can place on him.

According to Stokes, Root has always prioritised the team's success over his own performance, and he hopes the added responsibility does not affect his game.

He said his biggest concern was ensuring Root does not place excessive pressure on himself, recalling the challenges he faced during his previous stint as Test captain.

Surprised by Harry Brook Decision

The former skipper admitted he expected Harry Brook to succeed him as England's Test captain.

Brook, who served as vice-captain and currently leads England's white-ball teams, was widely viewed as a potential candidate for the role.

Stokes said he was surprised by the selectors' decision and believes players with leadership potential should be given opportunities to captain the national side.

Retirement Influenced by Ashes Timeline

Stokes said the decision to retire was made only after carefully assessing whether he could continue performing at the highest level through the 2027 Ashes.

After considering his fitness and long-term plans, he concluded that stepping away from international cricket was the right decision and indicated that he has no intention of reversing it.

Big Bash League Interest Grows

Although retirement from international cricket is approaching, Stokes is unlikely to step away from franchise cricket.

Australian media reports suggest several Big Bash League (BBL) franchises are interested in signing the England all-rounder, with Sydney Sixers reportedly leading the race.

If the deal materialises, Stokes could reportedly earn around AUD 600,000 (approximately ₹3.4 crore), potentially making him the highest-paid overseas player in Big Bash League history.

A move to Sydney would also reunite him with former England white-ball coach Matthew Mott, under whom England won the 2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

One of England's Modern Greats

Stokes has enjoyed an illustrious international career, scoring more than 7,000 Test runs, including 14 centuries, while also claiming 252 Test wickets.

He played pivotal roles in England's memorable victories in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup Final and the famous Headingley Ashes Test the same year, performances that cemented his reputation as one of cricket's greatest match-winners.

As his playing career enters its final phase, Stokes has made it clear that coaching—and continuing to contribute to English cricket—remains firmly on his agenda.