Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was back in the headlines this week after taking charge of a football match for the first time since he was sacked by the Red Devils in November.
Local reports in Norway revealed the 49-year-old had taken charge of a Kristiansunds under-14’s game, whom his son Elijah plays for, and has been training the youngsters two or three times a week. However, it begs the question of when he will return to full time management in the professional game.
Here is all you need to know about the Norwegian in the 10 months since his United departure, including what he’s doing, where he is and which club’s he’s been linked with.
When did Man Utd sack Ole Gunnar Solskjaer?
Solskjaer saw his tenure as United manager come to an end in November 2021 following a dismal 4-1 defeat away to Watford, amid a poor run of form for the Red Devils in which they had won just one of their previous seven league matches.
The 49-year-old had originally taken over as caretaker manager from December 2018 until March 2019, following Jose Mourinho ’s departure, before getting the job on a permanent basis following his impressive record in the dugout during that time.
The former striker steered United to a third-place finish in the Premier League during his first full season in charge, in 2019-20, before taking them to second the following season, although they were still 12 points behind rivals and eventual winners Manchester City.
Where do you think Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will manage next? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
What has he done since?
Shortly after his United sacking, Solskjaer appeared in an emotional interview with club media, during which he said he would take a break from management and spend some time with his family, while he has done his best to keep out of the spotlight since his departure.
He said: “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.
“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.
Where is he now?
Solskjaer is currently settled in his hometown of Kristiansund, on the western coast of Norway. He is yet to return to Old Trafford to watch the men’s first team in action, although he was in attendance to watch his daughter Karna turn out for the women’s side back in March.
When will he return to management?
Solskjaer has previously revealed that he has been approached to make a return to professional management, while Norwegian outlet Verdens Gang suggested that at least one team from the Premier League had sounded him out.
During that emotional interview with United’s club media, he said: “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]”, although this suggests he is certainly in no rush.
Who has he been linked with?
The 49-year-old was linked with the vacancy at Everton just two months after his departure from United, following the Toffees’ dismissal of Rafa Benitez back in January, although Frank Lampard was eventually given the job.
Solskjaer was also rumoured to be a possible candidate for Leeds United and, ironically, Watford after they relieved Marcelo Bielsa and Claudio Ranieri of their duties earlier this year, but was more strongly spoken about as a possible replacement for Sean Dyche at Burnley at the end of last season.
The Norwegian had been open to offers over the summer, yet nothing has come of his future since, although that could still change at some point this season. It is unlikely he will return to the Premier League, but it’s believed Solskjaer could work with Michael Carrick, his assistant at United, when he accepts his next role in management.
