Last updated on .From the section Cricket

Former England coach Andy Flower has been appointed as technical director of elite coaching by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

The ECB said Flower's new role involves working with the "next generation of England players and coaches".

England under Andy Flower Highs August 2009: England regain the Ashes with a 2-1 series victory

May 2010: England win their first ever ICC global event in the World Twenty20

January 2011: History is made down under with England winning their first Ashes series in Australia for 24 years

August 2011: England whitewash India 4-0 to go top of the world Test rankings

August 2013: England beat Australia 3-0 for third straight Ashes series win Lows April 2009: England dismissed for 51 against West Indies in Jamaica in Flower's first Test since taking over as interim team director

May 2009: Hosts England suffer humiliating defeat by the Netherlands in their opening match of World Twenty20

February 2012: England crash to a 3-0 series defeat against Pakistan in UAE

January 2014: England suffer a 5-0 Ashes series whitewash for only the third time in their history

"I see this as a great opportunity for me as I start a new phase of my career," said Zimbabwean Flower.

ECB managing director Paul Downton said he was "delighted" to have retained Flower's "experience and quality".

Flower, who scored 4,794 runs in 63 Tests, was appointed England coach on an interim basis nearly five years ago before taking up the post permanently.

During his tenure, he led England to three Ashes wins, the World Twenty20 in 2010 and to the top of the world Test rankings.

However, following the 5-0 defeat by Australia last winter he decided to step down, saying he did not feel he was the right man to try to restore England's fortunes.

His new role will be based at the national cricket performance centre in Loughborough.

"Not only will Andy work with both players and coaches but he will also look to enhance the relationship between the county coaches and the England set-up," added Downton.

"He will also work with Level 3 and 4 coaches in the ECB coaching structures.

"Andy will also build on the highly-successful ECB coach and talent development programmes which have seen players such as Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler, to name a few, graduate to England senior teams as well as work with a number of coaches from first-class counties who have been involved with the England Lions."

Flower said: "I am particularly excited about the chance to build and mould a leadership course which is not simply about captaincy but much more.

"This role offers me a chance to make a real contribution to the ability and character of England players and coaches in the years to come."

Flower's previous role as head coach is yet to be filled by the ECB.