Stephen Fleming steps down as Chennai Super Kings head coach after 18-year stint

Stephen Fleming’s remarkable 18-year journey with Chennai Super Kings has come to an end.

Stephen Fleming leaves Chennai Super Kings after 18 years. Relive every IPL and Champions League T20 title won during his legendary coaching reign.

Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming prepares for a match against Lucknow Super Giants in April 2025. Photo: Getty Images Stephen Fleming has stepped down as head coach of the Chennai Super Kings after guiding the team to five Indian Premier League titles in his 18 years in charge, the franchise said on Monday.

Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming prepares for a match against Lucknow Super Giants in April 2025. Photo: Getty Images Stephen Fleming has stepped down as head coach of the Chennai Super Kings after guiding the team to five Indian Premier League titles in his 18 years in charge, the franchise said on Monday.

Chennai: Chennai Super Kings on Monday parted ways with long-serving head coach Stephen Fleming following "open and honest discussions" with the management of the five-time IPL champions who have missed playoffs for the past three seasons.OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTThe Super Kings and Head Coach Stephen Fleming have mutually decided to part ways.Together, we shared one of the most successful and enduring partnerships in IPL history. The legacy you've built will continue to inspire us.With immense respect and… pic.twitter.com/qjvb4oZUuU— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) July 13, 2026 Fleming first joined the team as a player in IPL's inaugural season in 2008 before becoming its head coach in 2009."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," Fleming said in a statement issued by the franchise.Stephen Fleming, a constant in CSK's journey pic.twitter.com/Vlxda5tX25— Cricinfo (@cricinfo) July 13, 2026 "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," he added.The CSK said the decision was reached with "respect and gratitude, following a series of open and honest discussions" between Fleming and the team management.After becoming the head coach in 2009, Fleming guided the team to five titles and forged an iconic partnership with the then skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.'I Call Him Boss Baby': Yuvraj Singh Praises Vaibhav Sooryavanshi After Meeting Him For First Time At Wimbledon 2026 | VIDEO The side also won a couple of Champions League Twenty20 tournaments. It entered the IPL playoffs a record 12 times, while being part of 10 finals.However, the side has been on a downward spiral for the past three years, failing to make the playoffs with critics often pointing out their rigid over-reliance on over-the-hill players and the Dhoni factor.Fleming has struggled to explain the team's slide and this year, the mystery surrounding Dhoni's injury became a major talking point and a source of disruption.Rohit Sharma Surrounded By Fans In Birmingham; Shreyas Iyer And Shivam Dube Turn 'Security Guards' | VIDEO CSK's "heartbeat" Franchise owner Rupa Gurunath described Fleming as the heartbeat of the team's coaching set-up and was effusive in her praise for the former New Zealand captain's contribution."Stephen Fleming has been the heartbeat of our coaching unit for almost the entire journey of this franchise. For nearly two decades, he has helped shape our identity, vision, and pursuit of excellence," she said."On behalf of everyone at the Super Kings franchise, we extend our deepest gratitude for his unwavering commitment, passion, and leadership. While our journey together on the field comes to a close, he will always remain an integral part of the team." Chennai Super Kings Managing Director Kashi Viswanathan said Fleming helped define not just how CSK played, but built a culture rooted in consistency, and humility."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," he said. (Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)