No, they apparently contacted Eddie Howe first, and he predictably declined.
And there is no way he’s the best manager available to us. I have no doubt one or more of Pulis, Hughes, Jokanovic or Pearson may have shown interest.
These are managers with proven CV’s for a club with Premier League aspirations, as opposed to some bloke who’s won lower league titles.
I’m hardly enthralled by McCarthy’s appointment, but his achievements are far greater than Cook’s.