BRISTOL, ENGLAND - MAY 30: Head coach of Australia, Justin Langer talks to Former player Ricky Ponting during the Australia Nets Session at Bristol County Ground on May 30, 2019 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images)

Australian Test cricket legend and former men’s national coach Justin Langer reportedly turned down the offer to be the head coach of the Hobart Hurricanes for the upcoming Big Bash League season.

Langer was contacted by Ricky Ponting who was persistent in his approval and recommendation for him to take up the head coaching role but was ultimately rejected as he had been pursuing ‘other opportunities.’

Speaking at a media conference where Jeff Vaughan was announced as the next coach, Ponting said the conversations were exciting originally.

"The initial conversations were pretty exciting. And he would like to get back involved again. But as things got progressed and things got a little bit closer, I think he's had some other opportunities and exciting things maybe come across his desk that he thinks he might be able to enjoy a little bit more through the course of the summer," Ponting said.

Langer has remained in Perth after his chaotic tenure as the Australia men’s cricket coach in all formats. He resigned in February and has since kept a low profile, focusing his efforts on completing multiple corporate public speaking opportunities as well as continuing his involvement as a board member for the West Coast Eagles football club.

It has been further revealed that when Ponting first nominated Justin Langer’s name as primary candidate for the Hobart Hurricanes head coaching position in June, it was met with half-hearted approval particularly from Hurricanes’ veteran Matthew Wade.

Wade expressed concerns around Justin Langer’s coaching style, which was found to be highly controversial and hot-headed particularly when he was head coach of the Australia men’s national team.

Langer’s rejection of the job offer has meant that Ponting announced Jeff Vaughan as the new head coach which will be combined with his role as Tasmania head coach.

Ponting has been appointed as Head of Strategy for the Hobart Hurricanes, with former Australia ODI all-rounder James Hopes and former Victorian head coach Darren Berry to be nominated as assistant coaches alongside Jeff Vaughan.

Reports from News Next show that the selection of Vaughan is seen as a popular move, as he has substantial experience coaching the Tasmania domestic team and Hobart Hurricanes as an assistant under former coach Adam Griffith.

Ponting expressed his excitement around hiring Jeff Vaughan

"Everyone that I’ve spoken to around Tasmanian cricket or around the Australian cricket team just had glowing reports about Jeff with his coaching ability and his coaching style and his people management," Ponting said.

“I think that’s exactly what the Hurricanes need right now.”