Since announcing his retirement at the end of the 2020 county season, Ian Bell has coached all around the world.
The 40-year-old has worked with England's Under-19s, as well as franchise sides like Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred and Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash. Bell is currently enjoying a brief two-week stint as a batting consultant at Derbyshire, having been given an opportunity by the club's new head of cricket Mickey Arthur.
Bell played more than 100 Test matches for England during a stellar international career which saw him score 7727 runs at an average of 42.69, make 22 centuries and win the Ashes five times. And in his post-playing career, he is also looking to reach the pinnacle as a coach.
"I've got really big ambitions," Bell told ESPNcricinfo. "But having worked in some of these franchise competitions, I thought, 'Why not go to a county that's in Division Two and have a look?'
"A lot of people talk about these teams but I thought, 'I'm going to have a look for myself.' It would be easy for me to work at Warwickshire at the top end of it, but why not have a look at the other end? It's important to do a bit of both.
"I'd love to work in international cricket - and that doesn't necessarily mean England. I spoke to Mickey and Farby [Paul Farbrace] about this and I'd love to work with some of the subcontinent sides.
"Having worked in the T10 and played a bit of franchise cricket in the PSL, the enthusiasm and the love for the game is so good and the opportunity to go and work in those environments would be massive for me.
"I love coaching players, helping them find their way and improve. I'm not shy of doing the work.
"I don't have to rush into certain jobs for the sake of it but I'll know when the time is right. I'm very ambitious but for now, I want to keep learning."
