Brendon McCullum has publicly apologized for England's poor Test results under his leadership, acknowledging that the team's failure to win major series ultimately cost him his job. The 44-year-old former New Zealand captain was dismissed from his role as red-ball coach after overseeing seven defeats in the team's last nine Tests. Main Developments McCullum admitted Monday he had been fired, saying he received a "tap on the shoulder" from the England and Wales Cricket Board. The ECB had initially said he "stood down" in a Sunday statement, but McCullum was candid about the dismissal, telling reporters in Birmingham: "I was disappointed but at the same time I fully respect the decision." His departure follows England's 2-1 home series loss to his native New Zealand, which ended with red-ball captain Ben Stokes retiring from international cricket. McCullum will remain in charge of England's limited-overs setup but has been removed from the Test role he held since 2022. Read also: 4 Reasons Mariano Rajoy's 'Xenophobic' Remark on France's Team Backfired Background McCullum's tenure began in 2022 with promise, but England's record in marquee series against other members of cricket's so-called 'Big Three' proved disappointing. The team lost away to Australia and India, while drawing 2-2 against both on home soil. A particularly damaging 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia concluded in January, which was marred by allegations of a drinking culture among players. Reflecting on those failures, McCullum said: "We just weren't quite able to win those big series, against India and Australia, the two marquee series. We just weren't able to get the results and for that I guess I can only say sorry." He accepted full responsibility, stating: "I was the leader of that group. I was in charge of the team culturally, in charge of the team tactically, in charge of the team results-wise as well." Why It Matters The dismissal signals the ECB's impatience with underperformance in Test cricket, particularly against traditional rivals. McCullum's admission that "we're in a results business" underscores the high stakes for national coaches, especially when overseeing a team with England's resources and expectations. His apology also highlights the personal accountability expected from high-profile figures in the sport. What's Next The ECB will now seek a new Test coach to rebuild the red-ball side following Stokes's retirement and McCullum's exit. McCullum himself will focus on England's limited-overs teams, with the ODI series against India beginning at Edgbaston serving as his immediate priority. Questions remain about whether England can reverse their fortunes in Test cricket against Australia and India, the two series that ultimately defined McCullum's failure.