ENGLAND cricket supremo Rob Key says it would be “stupid” not to consider appointing Andrew Flintoff as head coach.

Key has been integral in offering the 2005 Ashes hero a path back  to elite sport after the ex-captain suffered serious facial injuries in a car crash while filming Top Gear.

‘Freddie’ Flintoff accepted his pal’s invitation to anonymously attend games at last year’s Ashes and has since mentored England’s white-ball side.

He will lead Northern Superchargers in The Hundred this summer and has been inked in to assist Matthew Mott at the T20 World Cup in June.

And director of cricket Key backed Flintoff for a top coaching job when one becomes available.

Key said: “He knows what it is like to struggle.

“As a leader, your interactions mean you can impact people in a  positive or negative way.

“Fred is aware of that and he understands how to use that gift with people.

“Flintoff is a leader like Ben Stokes. He is not going to need to learn leadership qualities.

“Without question,  he’d be an excellent coach. He’ll be a worthy candidate going forward.

“For all the things he’s done, cricket is always the thing he goes back to.

“It’s almost like he has no choice. It’s what he thinks about the most after his family.”