Graham Gooch has tipped Ashely Giles to coach England at Test level in the future, insisting he was "unlucky" to miss out on the job when Trevor Bayliss was appointed last month.
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Having led England’s limited overs sides for over a year, Giles was overlooked for the combined ODI and Test role in favour of Peter Moores in April 2014.
Following the departure of Moores last month, Giles' name was again mentioned in conjunction with the role but the former spinner – who is currently Lancashire’s director of cricket – once again missed out.
However, Gooch feels that it is only a matter of time before the former he is put in charge of the national team.
"I think Ashley Giles has been a bit unlucky not to get the job," Giles told Sport360. "England’s poor finish in the T20 World Cup contributed to the loss of his position last year. If England had done better in the tournament I think he might have got the job.
"He is certainly one English coach that has the international pedigree to take the position. He has gone to Lancashire as the time probably wasn’t right for him but I wouldn’t be surprised if some time in the future that Ashley becomes coach of the England cricket team."
After the departure of Moores, new ECB director Andrew Strauss opted for a foreigner in Australian Bayliss to coach England.
Gooch expressed some reservations about the decision, stating he'd have preferred to have an Englishman in the role, especially with the Ashes series coming soon.
“It is yet to be seen how an Australian gets on coaching England against Australia," Gooch added. "It is a new dynamic to say the least. But let’s give the guy a chance and I am sure he is looking forward to what will be a big challenge.
"It will be an incredibly tough ask to begin with as it is against Australia, who are riding high at the top of the Test rankings."
In an ideal world you would want the same nationality as the team you are coaching. But in this progressive world, things change and this is a new concept, especially when we are playing Australia.
Despite his resverations, Gooch admitted that Bayliss' credentials were there for all to see.
"It’s yet to be seen how it works out but I’m sure, in time, he will prove to be a successful coach for England," Gooch said.
“Trevor Bayliss has got a good track record.
“He coached Sri Lanka and he’s been around in the IPL and New South Wales so his pedigree is good."