The first coach to decline the hot seat at MU has emerged

MU has just suffered a significant setback in their search for a new head coach, as one of their top targets immediately said “no” following the decision to dismiss Ruben Amorim.

MU has decided to part ways with Amorim, just one day after a 1-1 draw with Leeds at Elland Road. At the time of his dismissal, MU was sixth in the Premier League, and the decision came shortly after a tense meeting between Amorim and Sporting Director Jason Wilcox.

The Portuguese coach only achieved a 38.1% win rate at Old Trafford and although he left early, he still received a substantial severance package due to his contract running until June 2027. During the transition period, Darren Fletcher will be promoted from the U18 team to serve as interim head coach.

At the same time, MU is reviewing a list of candidates for the long-term head coach position. According to journalist Nicolo Schira, the first coach has already declined the MU head coach role. That coach is Simone Inzaghi from Al Hilal.

The Red Devils inquired about the Italian tactician, but he stated he wants to remain committed to Riyadh after signing a two-year contract in June 2025, thereby ending MU’s hopes in this pursuit.

In this context, MU is expected to appoint an interim coach until the end of the season, then wait until summer to make a long-term decision. The most prominent name for the current “stand-in” role is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Solskjaer — who previously replaced Jose Mourinho as interim head coach in December 2018. Thanks to excellent results during his interim period, he was appointed as the permanent manager. Solskjaer led MU to second place in the Premier League and runner-up in the Europa League. He was dismissed in November 2021 following a downturn, before Ralf Rangnick arrived at Old Trafford as caretaker.

According to The Guardian, Jason Wilcox considers Solskjaer a strong candidate, and negotiations with the Norwegian coach’s representatives are actively underway. Solskjaer has also been spotted back in Cheshire amid swirling rumors. Former midfielder Michael Carrick, who briefly served as interim coach, has also been contacted by MU.

Sources say Solskjaer is very eager for a comeback, even hoping to be appointed permanently again if he makes a positive mark during the interim period, similar to what happened before. MU will return to action with an away match at Turf Moor against Burnley, the first game under the new interim regime.

According to plans, MU will keep Solskjaer as interim coach until the end of the 2025/26 season. After that, the Red Devils will seek a long-term head coach. Besides Solskjaer, MU is also targeting Oliver Glasner, Andoni Iraola, Enzo Maresca, Thomas Tuchel, Marco Silva, Mauricio Pochettino, and Xavi Hernandez.