Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunner Solskjaer has reportedly rejected the chance to become head coach of the Iranian national team due to 'other priorities'.
The Norwegian was sacked by the Red Devils back in November following a dismal run of results. Having overseen back-to-back Old Trafford maulings to Liverpool and Manchester City, the final straw came when Solskjaer's United were humiliating humbled 4-1 by Watford at Vicarage Road.
The 49-year-old's dismissal arrived a matter of months after United had rewarded him with a three-year deal on the back of guiding the club to a second-placed finish the season before. After eight months without job, Solskjaer is now thought to have been offered a route back into management, however it seems the former striker has snubbed the opportunity.
According to Foot Mercato, Iran swiftly identified Solskjaer as their ideal candidate to become the nation's next manager having just sacked head coach Dragan Skocic a mere four months before the World Cup in Qatar. However, the French outlet claim the former United icon has turned down the opportunity due to 'other short-term priorities'.
Croatian coach Skocic departs having guided Iran to top spot, ahead of South Korea, in their Asian World Cup qualifying group, with a record of eight wins, one draw and one solitary defeat. In declining Iran's proposal, Solskjaer has passed up the opportunity to lead the top-ranked Asian team in a World Cup group which includes England, Wales and the United States.
Solskjaer, whose only other managerial experience has been with Molde in his homeland and Championship club Cardiff City, spent 969 days in United's hot-seat - the longest reign of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. However, in his two-and-a-half years at the helm, the ex-attacker failed to win any silverware.
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Following his dismissal, Solskjaer and United took the unusual approach of conducting and subsequently releasing a farewell interview on the club's website. Within it, the 'Baby-faced Assassin', whose achievements with United as a player famously included helping the club to a remarkable treble back in 1999, reflected: "Very, very proud. Of course, it’s one of those things you dream of in your life.
"When you’ve been a player, when you’ve been a reserve team coach, the next job then, the only dream and the only thing you haven’t done is to manage the club, and I have now. It’s been a ball, it’s been absolutely enjoyable from the first to the last minute, so I have to thank all the players because since I came in, they’re top lads, top people.
"Some have come, some have gone, but all of them, they’ve been such an enjoyable bunch to work with. First of all, I want to thank the board and the owners for giving me the opportunity because it’s not for everyone and I’ve had the opportunity."
"I am so honoured and privileged to have been trusted to take the club forward and I really hope I leave it in a better state when I came. I made great friends, I have reconnected with some great friends and new staff coming in.
"The other stuff that was already here we've been good friends and we've connected. That's what it's about at a club like this with the fans. The fans have been amazing from day one at Cardiff until now so, top, and we'll see each other again."
As for Iran, the world number 23 ranked outfit open their World Cup campaign against Gareth Southgate 's England on November 21. The Asian side then face Wales four days later before concluding the group stage against the United States on November 29.
