Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is back on the touchline - albeit in far less glamorous surroundings than Old Trafford.
The Norwegian was sacked by Manchester United last year after a dismal run of results which culminated in a 4-1 defeat away at Watford. That was the final straw for the United hierarchy, who dismissed him less than 24 hours later.
Almost a year on and Solskjaer has remained away from the limelight and football in general, after admitting he would be focusing on spending quality time with his family.
“I’ll spend some time with my family. That’s been probably the most difficult part, through the pandemic, with Norway being open and here being closed, my family moved back to Norway and the young one, he loves it back there, so we’ve lived apart,” he explained after his sacking in November.
“So, I’ll spend some time with them. Then, I’ll watch the team of course and hopefully, the next manager comes in and I want to support him. I want him to be successful, hopefully I’ve laid the foundations for that to happen because I know I’m good at what I’m doing.
“I’m one hundred per cent sure to create a football environment, that’s where I’m good at and at some point, I’ll probably be back [working in football].”
And while he isn’t back working in an official capacity, Solskjaer dusted off the tracksuit to take charge of his son Elijah’s Under-14 team. Local news outlet Tidens Krav via VG report that the 49-year-old is training the youngsters two or three times a week and helping create an environment that is fun for them.
The ex-striker has experience coaching development sides and was in charge of United’s reserves between 2008 and 2010, winning a host of trophies in the process.
Although grinding out results will no longer be giving him sleepless nights, it’s still nice to get them and it is added that the Kristiansunds team ran out victorious over Blindheim in their first match. Solskjaer is now back in his hometown and has largely kept his own counsel in regards to his future plans.
However, the former United boss did reveal he has been approached to make a return to professional management, without going into detail on where those proposals originated from.
Norwegian outlet Verdens Gang previously suggested that at least one team from the Premier League had sounded out Solskjaer, who also had spells with Molde and Cardiff City.
Erik ten Hag’s predecessor has yet to take in a United men’s game since his departure, but has been spotted at Old Trafford to watch his daughter Karna turn out for the women’s side. Back in March, Solskjaer made the journey to watch the WSL side in action as they ran out 3-1 winners over Everton.
It's believed Solskjaer could work with Michael Carrick, his assistant at United, when he accepts his next role in management. Carrick was named caretaker manager but left as soon as Ralf Rangnick's interim appointment was confirmed.
