Ole Gunnar Solskajer’s name has been doing the rounds again in the last few weeks as Erik ten Hag hangs onto the Manchester United job with his fingernails.
The Old Trafford legend had been reluctant to discuss Manchester United’s prospects publicly, especially as the pressure rose on his Red Devils predecessor.
And the reaction amongst some sections of the fanbase – after Solskjaer finally admitted that he would be open to a return to Man United – goes some way to explaining why the Norwegian was keen to keep shtum.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, as classy as he is beloved, never wanted to destabilise Ten Hag’s position any further.
But, when quizzed on a second spell in the Old Trafford dugout, the Treble winner could not help but admit that this is an opportunity he would jump at.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer open to Manchester United return but tipped for Denmark
“I don’t like to talk about other manager’s jobs,” Solskjaer told the media in his native Norway a few weeks ago. “But yes, of course, I would!”
But, as Ten Hag fights for his future, will Ineos be tempted to repeat a move that – depending on which side of the fence you sit – either took Manchester United forward or held them back? Solskjaer’s tenure remains a source of much debate still to this day amongst the Red Devils faithful
Well, no, they won’t.
As reporter Fredrik Filtvedt tells Dagbladet, Man United owner and boyhood fan Sir Jim Ratcliffe is a big admirer of a Solskjaer. He even offered him the manager’s job at Nice.
But there is an acceptance at Ineos that the Solskjaer era is a thing of the past, United’s new bosses harbouring some reluctance about the idea of sacking Ten Hag and bringing in an interim coach to see them through over the next eight months.
Solskjaer, meanwhile, is yet to return to management since his tearful departure back in 2021.
A fresh start in the international game is being pushed by fellow Norwegian Age Hareide, however.
The man who coached the Denmark national team between 2016 and 2020 believes Solskjaer is the right man to follow in his footsteps and harness the talents of a squad which underwhelmed at last summer’s European Championships.
“He has all the qualifications for [to become the Denmark boss],” Hareide tells reporters. “And he has also been at such a big club as Manchester United, which he handled in an excellent way.
“I absolutely believe that he would be able to fit in as Danish national coach.”
Solskjaer explains why he has not managed after Man United exit
Denmark are currently under the stewardship of caretaker boss Lars Knudsen.
Solskjaer, if he was to take over at the Scandinavian nation and potentially lead them to the 2026 World Cup, would find himself sharing a dressing room with Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund.
Man United wonderkid Chido-Obi Martin – scorer of 12 goals in 17 caps at Under-17 level – is another who would surely benefit from the hypothetical appointment of a coach who turned Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood into one of Europe’s most feared frontlines.
Former Arsenal starlet Obi-Martin officially joined Man United over the weekend.
Speaking back in March, Solskjaer admitted that he was not yet on the lookout for a return to the dugout. He has had offers – including at an Ineos-controlled OGC Nice outfit – but the 51-year-old is keen to wait until the right opportunity arrives.
“I have a few offers, but I’m not ready,” Solskjaer said.
“It’s got to be somewhere I can be myself. Not [with] anyone dictating; ‘you need to do this, you need to do that’.
“Because ,when you have been at United and managed them, you learn a few things and you want to do it your way the next time.”
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
