Manchester United news: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed as interim manager as club chase Mauricio Pochettino
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been appointed as Manchester United's next manager.
Jose Mourinho was sacked after two-and-a-half years in charge on Tuesday morning after a disappointing start to the season with the 3-1 Premier League defeat to Liverpool on Sunday proving the last straw. Solskjaer takes over as caretaker boss alongside former assistant Mike Phelan with the club considering their options for the long-term successor.
Please allow a moment for the blog to load...
Speaking on the Molde website, Solskjaer has backed his first-team coach Erling Moe to hold the fort while he was gone, and thanked his employers for allowing him to take up the opportunity at Old Trafford.
"In football you never know what can happen," he said. "We get proof time after time. This is an opportunity I had to take. I am looking forward to leading Manchester United until the summer.
"At the same time, I will follow closely what is happening here at home."
Now Solskjaer can really begin. He's been given the royal seal of approval.
Molde won eight of their last nine league games to finish second when the season ended in November.
"We have built stone for stone and the end of the season this year gives us hope for another good season," Solskjaer added before offering support for his backroom staff.
"Erling, Trond (Strande) and Per Magne (Misund) will do a lot of work while I'm gone. At the same time, I would like to thank the club, and Kjell Inge and Bjorn Rune have once again congratulated me on (joining) the world's biggest club."
Pep Guardiola said he is ‘on Jose Mourinho’s side’ following the Portuguese’s dismissal at Manchester United.
Mourinho leaves United in sixth-place in the Premier League table, 11 points off the top four and qualification for next season’s Champions League.
The Portuguese lost his job due to a combination of poor results, dressing room unrest and failings in the transfer market.
Guardiola has since expressed his sympathy with his long-term rival, insisting that “we managers are alone”.
United sit seventh, 11 points off the top four and some 19 off league leaders Liverpool.
There's no doubt that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has quite the job on his hands.
Here's what he must address:
It's not just Solskjaer who's arriving at United on loan, Mike Phelan is only a temporary arrival too.
The former Ferguson assistant is joining from Central Coast Mariners in Australia until the end of the season.
“Taking on a temporary coaching role at Manchester United is extremely exciting," he says.
"It’s also a really positive step for the Mariners to have a direct link with Manchester United as I will continue my role as sporting director. I’m still a Mariner.
“Part of the discussion with Manchester United was that I will still be available for the Mariners, this is a dual role. I will take the first opportunity possible to get back to the Central Coast.
"I’m not going anywhere, I am one phone call away from anyone."
The former teammates are rolling in, after Beckham it's Ronny Johnsen.
We know who the new man is, but what of the old man? Well.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez still wants Jose Mourinho to be the next manager at the club, despite the Portuguese getting sacked from Manchester United on Tuesday morning.
The European champions currently have former player Santiago Solari as caretaker, but Perez feels Mourinho could be the man to fix their many problems,and oversee a planned overhaul of the club.
Mourinho was manager of Madrid from 2010 to 2013, but left after developing a toxic relationship with the playing squad, despite winning the title in 2011-12.
The Portuguese had the biggest problems with Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos and Marcelo and while the latter two remain at the Bernabeu and have considerable political power as club legends, it is understood that Perez would be willing to override that to bring Mourinho back.
"Manchester United should never be in this position," says Darren Fletcher, who won five Premier League titles in 12 years at United.
"They're almost writing off this season and next season because if they appoint a new manager in the summer he's not going to have much time to look for new players."
Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as the bookmakers' favourite as United look for their fourth full-time manager since 2013 when Alex Ferguson retired after nearly 27 years in charge.
"There is a real concern that you could have two seasons of rebuilding again," Fletcher adds.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments