Former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer turns down approach to return to management

Salford City v Stockport County: Sky Bet League Two Play-Off Semi-Final First Leg
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is in no rush to return to management (Picture: Getty Images)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was approached over a return to former club Molde, but the former Manchester United manager spurned the interest.

The 51-year-old has been out of work since leaving the Red Devils in November 2021 after 168 matches in charge of the Premier League giants.

His spell in charge of Manchester United produced no silverware and his next move in management was far from clear after leaving Old Trafford.

Solskjaer made his name as a manager at Norwegian side Molde, winning the Tippeligaen in 2011 and ’12 during his first spell as a first team boss.

After a short stint with Cardiff City he returned for a second spell in charge of Molde from 2015-18 before leaving for Manchester.

Reports in Norway now suggest that Molde want Solskjaer back for a third time.

VG reports that Molde chairman Leif-Arne Langøy called Solskjaer in a bid to convince him to return and replace sacked manager Erling Moe.

Watford v Manchester United - Premier League
Solskjaer left Manchester United in November 2021 (Picture: Getty Images)

However, the approach got nowhere, with Solskjaer not interested in a return at this time.

The former forward has not only managed Molde twice but also played for the club, scoring 41 goals in 54 appearances for them before being signed by Manchester United in 1996.

Speaking in September at the Oslo Business Forum, Solskjaer said a job that would interest him would be taking over from Ståle Solbakken as the Norway national team boss, as and when that opportunity arises.

‘I am a proud Norwegian, and of course if the question arises, when Ståle decides to give up, I will happily engage in discussions,’ Solskjaer said.

‘I am a proud Norwegian and proud of where I come from.’

In October this year Solskjaer was approached over the Denmark national team job, but was not interested in the role.

Watford v Manchester United - Premier League
Solskjaer fancies international management (Picture: Getty Images)

It does appear that international management is next on the agenda for Solskjaer, although he is not prepared to travel far from his home in Norway for any old job.

Speaking on the Bakrommetpodcast last month, he said: ‘It must be something exciting enough, together with the right people. But I feel so well now that there must be something that triggers me enough for me to choose to travel from Nordmore.

‘I think that a national team could suit me, but then it can’t be on the other side of the globe.

‘I had two options but it would have taken half a day to travel, and there is a time difference in the picture, so I opted out.’

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *