Freddie Flintoff quits job in row over pay as cricket icon blasts 'I'm worth more'

Cricket legend Freddie Flintoff has announced that he has left The Hundred franchise Northern Superchargers after he was offered 'a quarter' of the salary of other head coaches. The Lancashire and England icon joined the team in 2023 shortly following his recovery from a horrific crash on the set of Top Gear.

In 2022, the trike that Flintoff was driving overturned leading to a number of serious injuries including, as he pointed out recently, losing the entirety of his teeth. His wife Rachael said after the crash that her husband was 'saved' by cricket when he needed it most.

For two years, Flintoff has been the head coach of the Northern Superchargers and has also worked with the England Lions development squad. However, the 47-year-old has confirmed that he has now left the former position.

READ MORE: Freddie Flintoff reveals devastating injury from horror car crash left him with NO teeth

READ MORE: Freddie Flintoff reunites with 'superhero' medics who treated him after Top Gear crash

Explaining his exit on the podcast, Flintoff said: "I genuinely don't do it for the money - although it's nice - but I'm worth more than just over a quarter of the salary of other head coaches. We have new owners and I spoke to them and said: 'Yeah, fine, make us an offer.'

"I wasn't encouraged they wanted me anyway, and you want to feel valued. So I said that it's not going to work for me and they weren't going to move on it.

"I felt we were building something over the last two years and I'd have loved to see it through." The Northern Superchargers, who are based at Yorkshire's Headingley Stadium, were sold to The Sun Group in July.

The Indian media company, who also own Sunrisers Hyderabad and Sunrisers Eastern Cape, are clearly no strangers to cricket and have acquired 100% control of the franchise from Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Speaking after the deal was confirmed, Head of Sports at Sun TV Network Limited, Kaviya Maran said: "We're excited to have acquired the Northern Superchargers and to begin this new chapter in close collaboration with Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

"Yorkshire's proud cricketing heritage, its passionate fan base, and the iconic Headingley Stadium make this a truly special opportunity. We are committed to building upon that legacy.

"The Hundred has created a stage where tradition meets innovation and fans of all ages are tuning in. It’s a game changer and we are here to help push it even further.

"For someone who is passionate about the game’s future, especially bringing more women and younger fans into it, this investment felt like a no brainer." As for Flintoff, he is likely to turn his full attention now to the national team.

He will be out in Australia this winter as his England Lions face the English first-team in a warm-up match ahead of the Ashes tour.