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'I am not putting myself up for any job' - Gillespie

Jason Gillespie as coach of Australia's PM's XI playing Sri Lanka in 2019 Getty Images

Jason Gillespie doesn't want to coach Australia's men's team while describing Justin Langer's messy exit from the job as "heartbreaking".

Gillespie, who is South Australia's coach and a former coach of English county sides Sussex and Yorkshire, had been touted as potential replacement for Langer.

"I am not putting myself up for any job," Gillespie told reporters on Tuesday. "It's nice to be thought of in that way but it's certainly something I am not even thinking about entertaining."

Gillespie has reached out to former Test team-mate Langer, who quit on Saturday as Australia's coach.

"Everyone has been pretty disappointed with how it has all played out - pretty heartbreaking to see, to be honest.," Gillespie said. "But unfortunately, it is what it is. Justin has handled himself very well...the decision has been made and whatever decision they make, they make.

"But I think everyone is of the opinion that things probably could have been handled better. He is okay. He felt he had something to offer Australian cricket. Cricket Australia felt differently. So move on, that's part and parcel I suppose of being in professional sport and being a coach."

Gillespie praised Langer's four-year tenure as national coach.

"Justin will go on and do wonderful things that we all know he can," he said. "He has done a fine job with Australian cricket the last four years and we all wish him really well because he will succeed in whatever he puts his mind to."

Andrew McDonald has been named interim head coach and will lead the tour of Pakistan next month along with the upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka which he was already due to take charge of. He will be a frontrunner for the permanent role should he want it.

Trevor Bayliss, the former England coach who is currently with Sydney Thunder, has also been linked to the role.

CA CEO Nick Hockley said the decision not to offer Langer a longer extension - he rejected a six-month offer - was because it was felt the team required something different into the future. The new coaching structure may see assistants, specialists and consultants take on a greater role with the head coach overseeing the operation and likely to miss certain tours and series.