Less than a week after being sacked by the Gold Coast Suns, former senior coach Stuart Dew has been spotted with the Australian cricket team in Manchester ahead of their fourth Ashes Test.

Dew's tenure with the Suns was brought to an abrupt close last week after five and a half years at the helm of the AFL's second-youngest club, with the Queensland side now searching for its fourth coach since its inception.

The Port Adelaide and Hawthorn premiership player managed 36 wins from his 121 games in charge of Gold Coast, who suffered a handful of poor results midway through this season to spell the end for Dew's time at Carrara 18 months short of his contract's expiry.

While all eyes turned to who would likely replace him in the hot seat, with many viewing former Richmond coach Damien Hardwick as the likely successor, Dew has since jetted overseas and has seemingly taken on a surprise role alongside the Australian cricket team.

On Monday night (AEST), Dew was spotted alongside cricketers Travis Head and Mitchell Starc at Old Trafford as Australia prepares for the fourth Test of the 2023 Ashes Series.

It is not yet known what capacity Dew's role with Cricket Australia is.

Dew has previously spoken on his fondness of Travis Head, a fellow South Australian, even going as far as to compare the cricketer's situation against India earlier this year to selection matters of his own on the Gold Coast.

"If you've got a player in form, you pick them, simple as that and Head's a good example, Dew told AAP after the Australian batsman was recalled for a Test match.

"Absolutely (the Suns) will have some unlucky guys but when it comes to selection, they almost select themselves.

"It's obvious who should be playing, but it's a good problem to have and internal pressure is always best."

 

The Suns managed a win in their first game following Dew's departure, with interim coach Steven King leading the team to a 26-point win over St Kilda on Saturday.

Gold Coast travel to Canberra this weekend to face GWS, while the fourth Ashes Test will commence on Wednesday night, with Australia holding a 2-1 lead.