I will never, ever apologize for it: Justin Langer on his way of coaching

Former Australian Men's head coach Justin Langer shed light on the constant slack he received for his 'intense coaching style' during his four-year stay with the Australian Men's Cricket team.

Langer, who took over the coaching roles of the Australian Men's cricket team in one of their darkest times, after the sandpaper gate in 2018, didn't only get them out of that shackle but guided them to their maiden T20 World Cup last year, followed by an Ashes over the summer.

He was also the spearhead of the Tim Paine led side, which retained the Ashes away from home for the first time since 2001. 

Despite all the good things Langer did as a coach, his coaching style wasn't welcomed by everyone on the side. The West Australian's coaching style came under the scanner as 'intense' from some of the younger lads in the setup, which led to speculation that he had lost the support of the playing group, followed by Langer resigning from the role.

Langer showed his disappointment and apologized to Cricket Australia for coming across as too intense through his resignation letter.

Now, as it has been a fair amount of time since his exit, the former Test opener opened up in an interview with West Australian Governor Kim Beazley earlier this week, saying he won't 'ever apologize' for the way he performed his role as a coach. 

It was something which he learnt from his former skippers, Steve Waugh, Allan Border, Ricky Ponting and coach Bob Simpson, keeping his players above and emulating his mentors as a leader. 

"I will never, ever apologize for that. It was how we were brought up, and I wouldn't be here now if I hadn't have been brought up like that."

Langer further reflected on the criticism he faced for calling out Marnus Labuschagne for taking a sandwich onto the field during the Gabba Test against India in the 2020-21 BGT. 

"It was a game of cricket, but we were walking out to battle, and we were representing our country. We were walking out to win and make Australians proud of what we were doing. You imagine Allan Border or Steve Waugh letting us (take a sandwich on the pitch). It would not happen," he said.

The T20 World Cup winning coach also admitted how all this stuff has affected his mental health. 

"I was deeply hurt by the media. I've got very thick skin but more so how it was affecting my family. Right now it's a form of therapy, writing, because at the time I was angry," he added.

Langer said he would consider staying away from the game for some time now. But, as he looks to the future, he will work on his current scars, the darkest hours and take them as his greatest lessons.