Stephen Fleming just suggested that England's Test cricket team should hire an English coach instead of a New Zealander. The irony is sharp. Fleming took the job as England's new Test coach, making him the face of exactly what he's arguing against.
This isn't Fleming dodging responsibility or being coy about his appointment. He's directly stating the position: an English national team deserves an English leader. The ECB clearly disagreed when they hired him, betting that his track record and expertise matter more than his passport.
What Fleming is really doing here is acknowledging the cultural expectation without committing to step aside. He knows the skepticism exists. English cricket has a specific identity and history, and handing the keys to a foreign coach rubs some people the wrong way, no matter how qualified.
The ECB made their choice. They evaluated Fleming against other candidates and decided he was their man. Fleming saying the job should go to an Englishman after accepting it creates tension, but it also shows he understands the job's weight and the country's attachment to the role. Whether he can win over doubters will depend entirely on results. That's how it always works.