Buchanan came in for heavy criticism from Chappell

But he has backed under-fire Ricky Ponting and believes the defeat could improve his captaincy style.

"If you're calling Buchanan a coach then it's a waste of time because he can't coach cricket," said Chappell.

"If I'm Ricky Ponting, I'm going to listen to Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath, not Buchanan."

Buchanan's contract expires in October, but a more immediate concern for Australia is their squad for the ICC Super Series, which will be announced this week.

I won't speculate on names but we're confident that when the time comes we do have able replacements Aussie selector Trevor Hohns

Chappell's former team-mate Dennis Lillee has called for Ponting to be replaced as skipper by Shane Warne.

But Chappell told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme the Ashes defeat "could well be the making of Ricky Ponting as a captain".

Chappell explained: "He's basically had a team that he's inherited and if the selectors make a few changes it will be his team.

"What I saw during the Ashes series was a captain who is trying to please everybody and is trying to captain by committee. That doesn't work."

Speaking on the same programme, Aussie chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said he did not believe Ponting's position was under threat "at this stage".

I think a lot of people have been found out by this series, not just the players but the selectors and the administrators Ian Chappell

However, captaincy appointments are handled by Cricket Australia's board members, acting only on recommendations from the selection panel.

Hohns plans to speak to fellow selectors David Boon and Merv Hughes this week, and refused to be drawn on whether the side would make wholesale changes.

He added: "I won't speculate on names but we're confident that when the time comes we do have able replacements."

However, Chappell questioned where replacements might come from, given that several leading candidates - like Mike Hussey and Brad Hodge - are in their 30s.

"Australia's real problem is they haven't got a lot of 21-year-olds that are ready for Test cricket," he continued.

"I think a lot of people have been found out by this series, not just the players but the selectors and the administrators.