MUMBAI, Oct 18: Five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Mumbai Indians are searching for a new head coach after parting ways with Mahela Jayawardene following a disappointing 2026 season, with former internationals Michael Hussey, Aaron Finch, Adrian Birrell, Mark Boucher and Eoin Morgan reportedly emerging as potential candidates.
Jayawardene stepped down on Saturday, ending his second stint with the franchise after Mumbai finished ninth in the 2026 edition, winning just four of their 14 league matches.
According to media reports, the franchise has shortlisted five candidates and is expected to interview them in the coming days. Mumbai Indians, however, have not officially confirmed the names or announced a timeline for appointing Jayawardene’s successor.
The coaching change comes at a crucial time, with franchises required to submit their retention and release lists by November 15. The IPL 2027 mini-auction is reportedly scheduled for December 16 in Goa, leaving Mumbai with limited time to finalise their coaching setup and assess their squad requirements.
Five candidates in the race
Former Australia batter Hussey is among the leading names reportedly under consideration. He spent nine years as batting coach with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) before leaving the role following Zaheer Khan’s appointment as their head coach.
Finch, the former Australia captain who guided his country to the 2021 T20 World Cup title, is another contender. Although he represented several IPL franchises during his playing career, he has limited experience in formal coaching roles.
Birrell could bring considerable coaching experience to the Mumbai setup. The South African has worked across different teams and competitions and guided Sunrisers Eastern Cape to three SA20 titles.
Boucher, meanwhile, is familiar with the Mumbai Indians environment, having coached the franchise in 2023 and 2024. Under him, Mumbai reached Qualifier 2 in his first season before finishing 10th in 2024. He was replaced by Jayawardene ahead of the 2025 campaign. Former England captain Morgan completes the reported shortlist. He led England to their maiden men’s ODI World Cup title in 2019 and captained Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. However, he has yet to establish himself in a long-term head coach role.
The franchise has not confirmed the reported shortlist, and the appointment process remains underway.
Jayawardene’s mixed second stint
Jayawardene returned as Mumbai’s head coach in October 2024, replacing Boucher after the team finished 10th in the 2024 season. His comeback initially yielded positive results, with Mumbai finishing fourth in 2025 before losing in Qualifier 2. However, the team struggled badly in 2026, collecting just eight points and recording a net run rate of minus 0.584.
According to reports, the separation was mutual, with both parties keen to bring a fresh perspective to the franchise. Mumbai’s official statement thanked Jayawardene for his contribution, while owner Nita Ambani praised his calm leadership, integrity and commitment to the team.
Jayawardene’s association with Mumbai spans more than a decade. During his first stint as head coach, he guided the franchise to IPL titles in 2017, 2019 and 2020, accounting for three of its five championships. His tenure also included disappointing campaigns, notably a last-place finish in 2022.
The franchise has not linked his departure to reports suggesting that Rohit Sharma could return as captain for IPL 2027. No change in captaincy has been officially confirmed.
Whoever takes charge will face the immediate challenge of rebuilding a squad that failed to meet expectations in 2026. With the retention deadline and auction approaching, Mumbai must quickly settle their coaching plans and identify the changes needed to restore their status as title contenders. (Agencies)