Published on: Jul 13, 2026 5:11 pm IST|Updated on: Jul 13, 2026 5:11 pm IST
One of the IPL’s most successful franchises, Chennai Super Kings, have decided to part ways with their head coach, Stephen Fleming, who served in the capacity for 18 long years. The former New Zealand skipper came into the franchise as a player back in the inaugural IPL edition in 2008 but soon transformed into the head coach role in the following edition, i.e., 2009. With him at the helm, Chennai Super Kings went on to lift the elusive IPL title five times, the joint most for any team alongside Mumbai Indians.
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CSK management made the announcement official via a media release on July 13, stating that the two parties were involved in a healthy discussion regarding the future of the franchise before deciding to part ways. After ending his long-term association with the franchise, Fleming quoted,
“Eighteen years is a lifetime in sport, and I leave with nothing but gratitude. My time with Chennai Super Kings has been the privilege of my coaching career. I am proud of everything we have achieved. Together, we celebrated unforgettable victories, overcame difficult moments, and built memories that will stay with me forever.“CSK will always be close to my heart, and I will be cheering the team on for years to come,” Fleming said in a franchise statement.
“Eighteen years is a lifetime in sport, and I leave with nothing but gratitude. My time with Chennai Super Kings has been the privilege of my coaching career. I am proud of everything we have achieved. Together, we celebrated unforgettable victories, overcame difficult moments, and built memories that will stay with me forever.
“CSK will always be close to my heart, and I will be cheering the team on for years to come,” Fleming said in a franchise statement.
On Fleming’s departure, CSK’s chief executive officer, Kasi Viswanathan, also expressed his gratitude by quoting.
“From the earliest days of this journey, Fleming helped define not just how we played, but what we wanted to be as a franchise. He built a culture rooted in consistency, humility, and putting the team first. His ability to understand people and bring out the best from individuals across the team has been one of his greatest strengths.“His influence extends far beyond the boundary, and we are proud to have shared this remarkable journey together,” the Super Kings CEO, Kasi Viswanathan said.
“From the earliest days of this journey, Fleming helped define not just how we played, but what we wanted to be as a franchise. He built a culture rooted in consistency, humility, and putting the team first. His ability to understand people and bring out the best from individuals across the team has been one of his greatest strengths.
“His influence extends far beyond the boundary, and we are proud to have shared this remarkable journey together,” the Super Kings CEO, Kasi Viswanathan said.
Stephen Fleming’s calm leadership and tactical acumen forged one of the most iconic captain-coach partnerships with MS Dhoni. Together, they built CSK’s identity as a consistent, title-winning franchise. His tenure is widely regarded as the most successful coaching stint in IPL history. Take a look at Fleming’s finely calibrated tenure as CSK’s head coach.
Besides winning the IPL title for a record 5 times under head coach Stephen Fleming, Chennai Super Kings also lifted the now-defunct Champions League T20 title on two different occasions, i.e., 2010 and 2014. Also, CSK holds the record for making the most playoff and IPL final appearances, and all this came under the acute coaching of Stephen Fleming.
The legacy Stephen Fleming leaves behind after 18 years with the Super Kings will be a formidable challenge for any incoming coach to carry forward. As of now, the franchise is yet to name a replacement for Fleming, but the announcement is expected to be made sooner before the IPL 2027 commencement.