NEW DELHI: Chennai Super Kings are searching for a new head coach following Stephen Fleming's exit last month, and former Australia opener Matthew Hayden believes the five-time IPL champions should look to a familiar face from Tamil Nadu.

Hayden has backed former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik for the role, pointing to his deep local ties and recent success in coaching alongside Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who claimed back-to-back IPL titles with Karthik in their support staff.

"It's something that I really hope that the franchise gets right. Flemo did a fantastic job with MS Dhoni; that was really such a strong engine room of CSK," Hayden told Sportstar.

"There are names that have been mentioned; one of them was Dinesh Kartik, who I think is probably ready to take on that kind of role. I think it's important to have a local coach."

The former CSK stalwart, who played for the franchise between 2008 and 2011, cautioned that while many IPL teams opt for international coaches, a club of CSK's stature needs a distinctly homegrown touch at the helm.

"I know that a lot of franchises do go for international coaches, but I feel like the head coach role of a franchise as big as CSK should have that kind of local touch, even Chennai touch, which is why I thought Dinesh would be perfect," the Australian added.

Fleming had been at the helm of the franchise for nearly 16 years, steering the Super Kings to five IPL titles and two Champions League crowns. The long-serving coach stepped down after a run of disappointing seasons, a decision Hayden described as a bold one while saluting the celebrated partnership between Fleming and wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni.

"You can certainly have support staff that aren't local, but what a shift... Such a beautiful campaign that MS and Flemm had. So much success, equal title holds with Mumbai Indians, just such a good legacy, but it's a bold and good move, and I'm looking forward to seeing who gets the job," he said.