Speaking after the defeat in Sydney, Stokes unequivocally backed McCullum and questioned the logic of those outside of the dressing room advising those inside.
“He’s a great man and a very, very good coach,” Stokes said.
“There’s more that goes on behind the scenes than he’ll ever give away or let out. He’s got my full support.”
In an attempt to rid players of pressure, a relaxed environment has been a cornerstone of McCullum’s England since he took over as Test coach at the start of 2022.
But on this tour, which began with a genuine feeling England could be competitive, England have appeared unserious with questions being raised about their preparation, training methods and an apparent lack of accountability for mistakes made on the field.
Their time playing golf and the amount of drinking on a mid-series trip to Noosa has also come into focus.
McCullum said: “When I took the job on I remember the situation England were in.
“I felt it was a great opportunity to use the resource, talent, support base and history that sits in English cricket to ensure the Test side, while there are challenges which are hitting the game all around the world with franchise cricket etc, are still able to get the best players possible who can get excited to come on tour.
“Over the last three and a half years with Stokesy and myself, our record is what it is.
“It has certainly improved from what it was. Whether it is at the levels we all want, probably not, but it doesn’t mean we can’t get there.”
ECB chief executive Richard Gould, who has been in Australia in recent weeks, said a “thorough review” is “already under way”.
“This will cover tour planning and preparation, individual performance and behaviours, and our ability to adapt and respond effectively as circumstances require,” he said.
“We will implement the necessary changes over the coming months.”
But Stokes said it is “a different place being in the dressing room to outside of the dressing room”.
“We’ve got unbelievable resources in English cricket and the ECB as a whole,” he said.
“But the dressing room is a different beast, it comes with different pressures and responsibilities.
“You’ve got the players to look after and we also don’t have to deal with stuff outside like the people who sit above us do.
“Me and Brendon, we know how to run a dressing room and give the lads the best possible chance of being as good as they can be.
“Everyone has got an opinion on how things should be run.
“I would never try to tell someone who runs a huge business what they should do because I haven’t got any expertise in that whatsoever.”
