Andy Flower decided to stand down as England coach because he does not feel he is the right man to lead the side's recovery from a disastrous Ashes tour.
The Zimbabwean, 45, has quit his post of technical director after overseeing the recent 5-0 whitewash by Australia.
"To start with a clean slate and begin to instil methods to ensure England [are] moving in the right direction will be incredibly exciting," he said.
"But I do not feel like I am in a position to undertake that challenge."

Analysis

Image of Jonathan AgnewJonathan AgnewBBC cricket correspondent
"For some time, this England team have carried an arrogant attitude. That's not necessarily Andy Flower's fault, but if you are looking for change then there were two major candidates - Flower and captain Alastair Cook.
"There are very few candidates to replace Cook. Matt Prior was left out for the final two Ashes Tests and Stuart Broad is too much of a loose cannon to be considered for the top job just yet.
"Therefore, when you are looking for change - and a simplification of an England set-up that has become bloated with various captains, coaches and backroom staff - Flower's departure and replacement with one man to oversee all teams seems a clear choice."
Flower, who led England to three Ashes wins and the World Twenty20 in 2010, informed the England & Wales Cricket Board of his decision following a meeting on Thursday with new managing director Paul Downton.
He believes the next coach should be given control over all three England sides, a position Flower held before handing over responsibility for the one-day and Twenty20 sides in November 2012.
Former spinner Giles, who will lead England on their limited-overs tour of West Indies in February and March, is favourite to take the new role
Ex-South Africa and India coach Gary Kirsten is thought to be another candidate for the job.
A decision is expected within two weeks.
Flower said: "Following the recent very disappointing Ashes defeat it is clear to me that this is now the time for England cricket, led by Alastair Cook, to rebuild with a new set of values and goals.
"In order for England cricket to make significant progress I believe that the team director, together with the respective captains, needs to be responsible across all formats in order to positively influence the rebuilding process.
"This will ensure complete clarity and continuity across the squads. Having stepped aside from the limited-overs squads 14 months ago, that is not something I am able to do and I do not therefore feel that starting the process would be in the best interests of all involved at what is a pivotal time for England cricket.
"This has been a very difficult decision to make and I remain committed to England cricket."
Flower's team completed a third consecutive Ashes series victory with a3-0 home win last summer but despite arriving down under as favourites this winter, they were heavily beaten in all five Tests and have now slipped to fourth in the Test rankings.
Following the final Test in Sydney, Flower said it was the "end of an era" for England, although he later denied issuing an ultimatum that he would leave unless Pietersen was dropped.
Downton said he was in the "advanced stages" of talks with Flower over a new role at the ECB, which is likely to involve coaching England's young plays at the Academy in Loughborough.
"Andy has been the most successful coach in England's history and we at the ECB are very disappointed to see him leave the role as team director.

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
"We respect his decision and the reasons for it but we are keen to keep Andy's experience and outstanding knowledge within the ECB."
Ex-Zimbabwe wicketkeeper/batsman Flower took over in difficult circumstances nearly four years ago after a rift between coach Peter Moores and then-captain Kevin Pietersen led to both leaving their jobs on the same day.
Having seen England bowled out for 51 in Jamaica in his first match, Flower then moulded his team into one of the most polished and professional units in international cricket.
After winning the Ashes back later that year, and retaining them in the 2010-11 series down under, he steered England to number one in the world Test rankings in August 2011 following a 4-0 home victory over India.
Flower also improved England's performances in the shorter forms of the game, coaching them to their first global limited-overs success at the 2010 Twenty20 World Cup, although the team slumped at the 2011 one-day World Cup.
After handing over one-day and Twenty20 duties to Giles, Flower remained in charge of the Test side, overseeing their first series win in India since 1984.
Flower had two stints as Zimbabwe captain during a decade-long international playing career in which he established himself as a world-class batsman and wicketkeeper, scoring 12 centuries, and averaging 51.54 in 63 Tests.
After quitting the international arena, Flower dedicated himself to county cricket and Essex, where he played for five seasons between 2002 and 2006.