England will consider between six and 10 names as they seek Brendon McCullum's successor as Test head coach and would like the person in place for August's series against Pakistan, says ECB chief executive Richard Gould.

McCullum, 44, was sacked as red-ball coach on Sunday after seven defeats in the past nine Tests.

England's next Test is against Pakistan at Headingley on 19 August and the team are also currently without a captain after Ben Stokes announced his retirement during the series defeat by New Zealand in late June.

Gould told BBC Sport: "It will be a targeted selection process. We often do a lot of work in terms of planning as to succession - I will always keep a shortlist going of coaches and various other positions and in truth, this position is probably one where the shortlist is no more than six to 10 names globally of a diverse nature.

"In terms of conversations, they will start to happen now and [managing director of men's cricket] Rob Key will be leading on those."

Gould confirmed the England and Wales Cricket Board will look to install a head coach first and that person will have a say, alongside Key and national selector Marcus North, in the appointment of a captain.

The new coach will have to work alongside McCullum, who retains the white-ball role, to balance the best interests of English cricket in a crowded cricket calendar where players manage international and franchise commitments.

McCullum's four-year reign as Test coach has seen England adopt an aggressive style of cricket, but Gould believes his replacement does not necessarily have to mirror that.

"When you look at the skills we've got and the talents we've got within the team, it is a team that has been playing relatively aggressive cricket," Gould said.

"But there are always options for the pattern of play to change depending on what the coach wants and where the coach believes those skillsets are.

"It's going to have to be an individual that complements the skillsets we've got in the players and can bring the very best out of them."

While England would like McCullum's replacement in position for the three-Test series against Pakistan, Gould accepts an interim solution may happen.

"Clearly the individuals that will be within our shortlist will have other commitments - they may be international cricket, they may be county cricket, they may be franchise cricket, and we'll need to work through those," said Gould.

"An interim solution could be in place if it allows us to get to the best possible decision later on down the line."

Gould added that England would also consider a model where a coach could continue their franchise commitments alongside the role.

Andy Flower

Current role: Head coach - Royal Challengers Bengaluru, London Spirit Previous roles: Head coach - England (2009-14), Saint Lucia Kings (2020-23), Trent Rockets (2021-25), Lucknow Super Giants (2022-23)

The man who inspired England to Ashes victory in Australia in 2010-11, Flower is probably towards the top of the wishlist.

The Zimbabwean was in charge of England between 2009 and 2014, ultimately leaving after a 5-0 away Ashes defeat.

Since leaving England he has prospered in franchise cricket, ending Royal Challengers Bengaluru's wait for Indian Premier League success with consecutive titles in 2025 and 2026 and winning The Hundred with Trent Rockets in 2022.

"Andy Flower would be the top target, but I think it's highly unlikely he takes the job," said former England bowler Steven Finn.

"I think you would need a very fat cheque book to go to Andy Flower, because the scrutiny is a level on top of what you experience in franchise cricket.

"You need that ability to have a debate but then come out of it on the same page. I've not been coached by Andy Flower since he was England coach but he's softened just slightly from the person he was then to the person he is now."

Jonathan Trott

Current role: None Previous roles: Head coach - Afghanistan (2022-26)

A stoic top-order batter who played 120 matches for England, Trott was head coach of Afghanistan between 2022 and 2026.

His team beat England at the 2023 World Cup and also finished above his prospective new employers.

"Jonathan Trott is someone to keep an eye on because he is shaped and moulded in the form of Andy Flower, both as a player and in the way that he's coached," said Finn.

"He's had to deal with quite a volatile situation by coaching Afghanistan for the last four or five years. That would grow you up as a coach quite quickly."

Andrew Flintoff

Current role: Head coach - England Lions, Sydney Thunder (for 2026-27) Previous roles: Head coach - Northern Superchargers (2024-25)

An England great who played 227 matches for his country, Flintoff moved into coaching after suffering severe injuries while presenting driving show Top Gear.

In 2024 he was appointed head coach of both Northern Superchargers in The Hundred and England Lions.

He has also worked with the senior side as an assistant coach, while he left Superchargers after their 2025 campaign.

Flintoff is not thought to be among the leading contenders for the role, though.

Richard Dawson

Current role: Head coach - Glamorgan Previous roles: Head coach - Gloucestershire (2015-21). England Lions head coach and England coaching roles (2021-24)

An off-spinner who played seven Tests for England between 2001 and 2003, Dawson was appointed Glamorgan head coach for the 2025 season and remains in charge.

He started coaching at Gloucestershire, where he ended his playing career, before taking up coaching roles in the England development set-up.

He was an assistant to Matthew Mott when England won the 2022 T20 World Cup.

Gareth Batty

Current role: Head coach - Surrey

An off-spinner who played 19 internationals for England, Batty moved on to the coaching staff at Surrey after his retirement in 2021.

As head coach he led Surrey to three successive County Championship titles between 2022 and 2024.

Darren Lehmann

Current role: Head coach - Northamptonshire Previous roles (selected): Head coach - Brisbane Heat (2019-21), Australia (2013-18)

A highly experienced coach, Lehmann led Australia for almost five years, winning the Ashes 5-0 in 2013-14.

'Boof', as he is commonly known, resigned from his national team role in 2018 in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal on their tour of South Africa, despite being cleared of involvement.

He subsequently coached Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League before taking over at Northamptonshire for the 2025 season.

Justin Langer

Current role: Head coach - Manchester Super Giants (from 2026), Lucknow Super Giants Previous roles: Head coach - Australia (2018-22), Perth Scorchers/Western Australia (2012-2018)

The second former Australia coach to feature on this list, Langer played for his country in 105 Tests before taking over as national team head coach in 2018.

He is a known disciplinarian, which was a factor in his departure from his Australia role in 2022, and his management style would contrast sharply with that of Brendon McCullum.

He has coached Lucknow Super Giants since the 2024 season and will take over their partner club Manchester Super Giants this summer, having spent last season with London Spirit.

Ryan Campbell

Current role: Head coach - Durham Previous roles: Head coach - Netherlands (2017-22)

Former Australia and Hong Kong wicketkeeper Campbell was appointed head coach of Durham before the 2023 season after almost six years in charge of the Netherlands.

He was appointed by his fellow Australian Marcus North, who held Durham's director of cricket role before he was appointed England's national selector in May.

Campbell led Durham to promotion to Division One of the County Championship in his first season, but his side were relegated two years later.