'You can't classify yourself as great coach...' - Sanjiv Goenka's one-liner pushed Langer to decide his future

A powerful one-liner from the mouth of Sanjiv Goenka proved enough for Justin Langer to rethink his career path. Actually, that one line left no room for the former team Australia coach to rethink but to decide.

During a conversation with former cricketer Michael Clarke on the Beyond 23 Cricket podcast, Langer disclosed why he changed his mind and resumed his coaching career again. The 54-year coach said with a smile on his face, "So I sit with (Sanjiv) Goenka and have this conversation. He’s a calm and nice person and is a very successful businessman. You know what he says in the end, the last words—'Justin,' I know you had a very successful coaching career. But let’s face it. You can’t classify yourself as a great coach until you win the IP'L."

After a coaching stint with the Baggy Green brigade, Langer decided to take a break from cricket. When he left the Australian team dressing, it was unclear whether or when he would again take a new coaching job. The former cricketer was appointed as Australia's head coach back in 2018. His coaching experience with his national team was not the nicest at the beginning. From a horrifying white-ball tour of England in '18 to winning the T20I World Cup in November 2021, Langer had seen a lot. In the following year, after a long discussion with Cricket Australia board officials, Langer resigned.

Sanjiv Goenka's words inspired Langer

For the next 3 years he was almost out of the picture, exploring new avenues outside the cricket ground. Then, one day he meets Lucknow Super Kings (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka. Goenka's 'Justin, I know you had a very successful coaching career. But let’s face it. You can’t classify yourself as a great coach until you win the IPL' inspired the former coach to return where he belonged—a cricket coach.

Further in the chat with Clarke, Langer added, "I had zero stress from the Goenka family.

LSG is yet to find the right to claim the IPL trophy under Langer's guidance. Last season was an utter disaster for the team, and this season, in IPL 2025, Super Giants need to find the right route to the playoffs as soon as possible.