Fletcher to quit after World Cup
Duncan Fletcher
Fletcher was appointed England coach in 1999
Duncan Fletcher has resigned as England coach and will leave after the team's last World Cup match against West Indies on Saturday.
Fletcher, 58, had come under increasing pressure after England were beaten 5-0 in the Ashes series and then failed to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.
"I feel it is in the team's best interests over the long-term that I should move on," said Fletcher.
A caretaker coach is expected to be appointed within the next 48 hours.
Report: BBC sports editor Mihir Bose
BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew
The BBC understands that person is likely to be Academy director Peter Moores.
He is also in the running for the job on a permanent basis, but is expected to face competition from the likes of Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody and Dav Whatmore of Bangladesh.
Fletcher, who became England coach in 1999 and famously led England to an Ashes series victory in 2005, told the England and Wales Cricket Board on 10 April that he intended to resign.
He said: "Earlier in the World Cup I came to a decision about my future and I discussed stepping down as head coach with the ECB prior to England's game against Bangladesh.
Duncan Fletcher's contribution provides an excellent legacy for his successor
ECB chairman David Morgan
"This has been a difficult winter for the team and for me personally, but I believe that my record as coach over the past eight years is one in which I can take great pride."
ECB chairman David Morgan, who also confirmed that Michael Vaughan would continue to lead the side going into the home Test series against West Indies starting on 17 May, paid tribute to Fletcher.
He said: "The ECB would like to formally put on record our grateful thanks to Duncan Fletcher for his outstanding service to cricket throughout England and Wales.
"He can be justifiably proud of a record which includes an Ashes Series victory over Australia, a record eight successive Test wins and Test series wins abroad in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies and South Africa as well as the Commonwealth Bank series success in Australia.
606: DEBATE
Give your reaction to this news
"England's rise to number two in the LG ICC Test Championship is in no small measure due to his rigorous planning and excellent coaching skills.
"Away from the international arena, Duncan was instrumental in persuading the ECB and the counties to introduce central contracts and his contribution provides an excellent legacy for his successor.
"He leaves with our best wishes and genuine appreciation from ECB for his achievements."
BBC VOTE RESULT
Will England improve without Duncan Fletcher?
Yes - 13.8%
Depends on the new coach - 54.3%
Only if Michael Vaughan quits too - 18.7%
No - 13.2%
(7,915 votes cast earlier on Thursday)
# In a vote on the BBC Sport website, only 13% of nearly 8,000 respondents said Fletcher's departure would leave England worse off.
But 54% thought the identity of his replacement was the key to whether they improve or not, while 19% thought captain Michael Vaughan also needed to be replaced for the team to progress.
Duncan Fletcher
Fletcher was appointed England coach in 1999
Duncan Fletcher has resigned as England coach and will leave after the team's last World Cup match against West Indies on Saturday.
Fletcher, 58, had come under increasing pressure after England were beaten 5-0 in the Ashes series and then failed to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.
"I feel it is in the team's best interests over the long-term that I should move on," said Fletcher.
A caretaker coach is expected to be appointed within the next 48 hours.
Report: BBC sports editor Mihir Bose
BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew
The BBC understands that person is likely to be Academy director Peter Moores.
He is also in the running for the job on a permanent basis, but is expected to face competition from the likes of Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody and Dav Whatmore of Bangladesh.
Fletcher, who became England coach in 1999 and famously led England to an Ashes series victory in 2005, told the England and Wales Cricket Board on 10 April that he intended to resign.
He said: "Earlier in the World Cup I came to a decision about my future and I discussed stepping down as head coach with the ECB prior to England's game against Bangladesh.
Duncan Fletcher's contribution provides an excellent legacy for his successor
ECB chairman David Morgan
"This has been a difficult winter for the team and for me personally, but I believe that my record as coach over the past eight years is one in which I can take great pride."
ECB chairman David Morgan, who also confirmed that Michael Vaughan would continue to lead the side going into the home Test series against West Indies starting on 17 May, paid tribute to Fletcher.
He said: "The ECB would like to formally put on record our grateful thanks to Duncan Fletcher for his outstanding service to cricket throughout England and Wales.
"He can be justifiably proud of a record which includes an Ashes Series victory over Australia, a record eight successive Test wins and Test series wins abroad in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies and South Africa as well as the Commonwealth Bank series success in Australia.
606: DEBATE
Give your reaction to this news
"England's rise to number two in the LG ICC Test Championship is in no small measure due to his rigorous planning and excellent coaching skills.
"Away from the international arena, Duncan was instrumental in persuading the ECB and the counties to introduce central contracts and his contribution provides an excellent legacy for his successor.
"He leaves with our best wishes and genuine appreciation from ECB for his achievements."
BBC VOTE RESULT
Will England improve without Duncan Fletcher?
Yes - 13.8%
Depends on the new coach - 54.3%
Only if Michael Vaughan quits too - 18.7%
No - 13.2%
(7,915 votes cast earlier on Thursday)
# In a vote on the BBC Sport website, only 13% of nearly 8,000 respondents said Fletcher's departure would leave England worse off.
But 54% thought the identity of his replacement was the key to whether they improve or not, while 19% thought captain Michael Vaughan also needed to be replaced for the team to progress.
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