Steve Waugh next coach of KKR?

[Satrangi]

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KKR sounds out Waugh for help to salvage team

Mumbai, May 14: The Kolkata Knight Riders have approached Steve Waugh to help resuscitate the bruised team, according to sources.

The Australian cricket legend could not be reached for comment, but KKR sources said he was mulling over the offer and was yet to make up his mind.

A source in the Shah Rukh Khan-owned Calcutta IPL team, languishing at the bottom of the league standings in South Africa, confirmed that Waugh had been approached to replace cricket director John Buchanan after this season.

“We touched base with him (Waugh) during his recent India visit. He will prove to be a great asset because of his exceptional cricketing abilities and long connection with Calcutta through his charitable project. He will be a good mascot,” said the Knight Riders source.

Others, however, said the former Aussie skipper consistently maintained during his visit to Calcutta last week that he wouldn’t like to get back to cricket in any form.

Jeet Banerjee, who heads Calcutta-based sports management company Gameplan which syndicates Waugh’s columns, said the former cricketer was too busy with his commitments.

“How can he take up a coaching job? Where does he have the time? He has his charity, his business,” said Banerjee, who is also associated with the Knight Riders.

But, the Knight Riders source maintained, Waugh, who has been a bit cagey about the T20 format in the past, has opened up to the game. “He is certainly open to the idea, but his other commitments are weighing on his mind at this stage. Our negotiations are on,” said the KKR source.

Waugh had earlier told The Telegraph that he wouldn’t like to coach, but could be a mentor to players.

KKR, which was dubbed the “Manchester United” of the big-buck T20 league because of its brand value, has been wracked by controversies this year.

The Knight Riders source said changes in the team management were on the cards but Shah Rukh, the principal owner, would not do anything till the team left South Africa and a review, not driven by emotions, had been done.

“SRK will not sack anybody or blame anyone for the team’s fiasco in South Africa. But John (Buchanan) and his team of coaches are unlikely to be a part of IPL Season 3 when the league is back in India and KKR gets around to playing matches at Eden Gardens,” said the source.

It’s understood that as Buchanan’s replacement, Shah Rukh would look at somebody with an impeccable cricket record and also one who has gelled with India. Waugh fits the bill.

The Knight Riders source said Waugh was quite upbeat about the present KKR team composition despite its performance. “He thinks the team can easily bounce back and thinks highly of both Dada (Sourav Ganguly) and (Brendon) McCullum,” the source said.

Waugh had fought a bitter battle of nerves with Ganguly during his playing days. But during his Calcutta visit, he had backed his former rival and said KKR still needed Ganguly’s services.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/109051...y_10967578.jsp
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[River_Panthera]

I think Steve Waugh would be a great choice. He was a great captain and he's quite young so will be more in touch with the game I feel.
But then again, with the recent fiaso, it might be better to not have an Australian coach.
Anyone other than Buchanan would be fine though.

[PrettY_WoMaN]

He's one of my favorite players. I hope it's him next year.

[agantuk]

I don't believe this. Even Telegraph, which is otherwise a very reputed publication, is now going by what the fakeiplplayer blog has to say. That blogger had mentioned that Steve Waugh would be approached for coaching the KKR team for next year. And now these guys put up the news. This could mean one thing - the Fake IPL Player is for REAL.

[prabha]

Will Dada and this guy get along? Why don't they approach John Wright? Better still why not an Indian coach for a change. But first I want laptop baba to leave with family and friends.

[agantuk]

Honestly speaking, Indian coaches are really no good. That's the reason they haven't been approached in the first place.

John Wright had a fallout with Sourav at the end of his tenure, due to which he decided not to renew his contract. Also, personally, I believe Waugh is a good choice, and in spite of all that transpired between them during their playing days, both do get along really well.

[prabha]

Ok. He had a fallout with John too So you think he will get along well with Steve?

[agantuk]

The fallout with John was more on some decisions taken, and not a personal one as in the case of Chappall.

In case of Waugh, they will be starting from scratch, and in this case, both are bound by the Kolkata connection.

[pokeye]

Doesn't appeal to me.

No high profile coaches.

And to be on the safe side, preferably no Australian coaches.

[prabha]

Originally Posted by pokeye

Doesn't appeal to me.

No high profile coaches.

And to be on the safe side, preferably no Australian coaches.

Same here. Why not make dada the head. That will not only bring the home fans back, it will be only him answering them too. SRK will be shielded from cricketing decisions. No fallouts. And I beleive he can do it.

[pokeye]

^ Honestly, he may not say now but I have a strong gut feeling Sourav will resign from KKR after this IPL.

[prabha]

Oh so picture abhi baaki hai. There are more controversies, drama and negativity awaiting us. Fantastic, can it get better?

[Jalda]

Originally Posted by pokeye

^ Honestly, he may not say now but I have a strong gut feeling Sourav will resign from KKR after this IPL.

OMG I hope this only stays in your thought and doesn't become reality

[Gangsta]

Don't care much if Dada goes. Actually, I thought the message was quite clear that Ganguly would be calling it quits altogether when they announced McCullum as skipper for this edition.

Back on topic, I think SRW might be a good choice not just because he was an astute captain, but because he had the same characteristics as Saurav. To be able to get others to perform, even if he wasn't. And the players would definitely have a lot of respect for him, given his accomplished record. Is Dave Whatmore not in the reckoning anymore?

[SRK_Super_Fanatic]

But...ok if Ganguly quits, what will happen to the whole "Kolkata" side of KKR? He represents the team because he has such a huge fanbase there...
ugh...this makes me so anxious.