Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scraps administration return plan after Man Utd twist
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has emerged as a leading contender to replace Ruben Amorim at Manchester United on an interim basis, despite having no plans to return to management any time soon
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had intended to extend his hiatus from management until Manchester United came knocking. The 52-year-old Norwegian has emerged as a top candidate to temporarily fill the void left by Ruben Amorim in the Old Trafford hot seat.
Just like seven years ago, Solskjaer would take on the role on an interim basis before potentially securing it permanently. United’s hierarchy plan to wait until the summer to appoint a permanent successor to Amorim.
Darren Fletcher took the reins for Wednesday’s journey to Burnley, coinciding with Solskjaer’s meeting with the club’s top brass to discuss the position, a conversation that also took place on Tuesday.
Fellow ex-United star and club legend Michael Carrick is also in the mix, and it’s not out of the question that the pair could join forces, having collaborated throughout Solskjaer’s three-year tenure which concluded in November 2021.
Solskjaer had been absent from the touchline since departing Old Trafford, up until he took over at Besiktas last January. The former United forward, who made 366 appearances for the club, had been working for UEFA as a technical observer in the interim.
However, his stint at Besiktas ended in August when the Turkish outfit failed to qualify for the Conference League, falling to Lausanne-Sport – ironically owned by United’s co-owners, INEOS – in the play-offs.
Following his dismissal, Solskjaer had no immediate plans to return to management, reports the Mirror. However, as revealed by the Sun, United’s approach has turned the tables.
Solskjaer, who recently moved to Cheshire, reportedly confided in a close friend last week that he had no immediate plans to return to management.
Yet, Solskjaer is said to be intrigued by the prospect of reclaiming the reins at United. Solskjaer and his wife, Silje, are residing in Cheshire while their children stay in their native Norway.
Their eldest son, Noah, plays for Stjordals-Blink, and their daughter Karna represents Aalesunds.
Back in 2014, Solskjaer expressed his willingness to make a comeback at United. “If the family [United] asks, I would say yes every day of the week,” he declared during a Q&A at the Oslo Business Forum.
“It feels wrong to talk about jobs that other people have now, but I would say yes, of course.”
After succeeding Jose Mourinho in December 2018, Solskjaer guided the Red Devils through an impressive streak.
Under his interim management, United clinched 14 victories out of 17 matches, and he led the team to sixth, third and second-place finishes after being appointed full-time manager, before his dismissal following a disappointing start to the 2021-22 season.
