FABRICE Muamba says Wanderers need to appoint a ruthless and disciplined manager to kick-start their Championship campaign.

The Whites are searching for a new boss to replace Owen Coyle who was sacked after almost three years in charge last week.

Muamba, pictured, joked he could be a candidate before stressing the importance of bringing in a strong man as soon as possible.

The 24-year-old who was forced to retire this summer after recovering from a cardiac arrest on the pitch at Tottenham in March said: “We need someone to come in and be very ruthless regarding who is in the team and who isn’t; someone who will bring discipline back in the team and make sure everyone is doing their job right.”

But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – one of the favourites – ruled himself out of the running, saying, “It’s not for me.”

“We need someone who can have an instant impact on the team and push us forward right away.

“I am sure Mr Gartside will know who he wants to appoint and hopefully they will come in and push things forward.”

Muamba admits Coyle’s departure was far from a surprise with results going the way they have since relegation from the Premier league last season.

And while he has respct for the departing Scot after his support during traumatic times after that cardiac arrest, Muamba also concedes results were not good enough.

He went on: “It was hard as Owen was great regarding what happened to me but regarding football, managers and players get picked depending on results.

“When things don’t go your way, that’s when the club makes a different decision.

“And you have to respect that and abide by that as when you look at the league, you have to be honest and day that’s it’s not up to the standard.

“This is football, it is what it is. The change was made and we have to move forward.”

Muamba may joke about speaking with chairman Phil Gartside about the vacant position but he says management and coaching is not the way he plans to go at present, despite wanting to stay in the game.

The former England under-21 midfielder added: “We need a manager at the moment, so I’m going to put myself forward for that one.

“Regarding being a manager, I’ve already had a heart attack and you need a bigger heart to take charge of a team.

“I’ll pass it someone who can do that. I’m not good enough for that kind of stuff; it’s not for me.

“I’m a very impatient person, put it that way.

“I don’t know, maybe one day when I make my mind up over what I want to do in the future.

“But regarding coaching and management, you have to have a bigger heart than me.

“My heart is very tiny and I’ll leave it to the best person.”