Solksjaer linked with shock Premier League return

FT Desk

Updated: 13 Dec 2022 10:20 GMT
3 min read

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Cristiano Ronaldo during happier times at Man Utd. — © ProShots

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has taken time away from management since being sacked by Manchester United in November 2021, but he could now be set to return to the Premier League.

Article continues under the video

Brighton are on the look-out for a new manager following Graham Potter's departure to Chelsea, and Solksjaer has emerged as an early frontrunner for the role.

Celtic's Ange Postecoglou, Roberto De Zerbi - most recently of Shakhtar Donetsk - and Lens coach Frank Haise have all been linked with the vacant post in recent days, but French outlet Jeunes Footeux report that Haise is at a disadvantage.

Man Utd have spent more money than any other club in the WORLD since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer became manager 👀 pic.twitter.com/t5FikBug2E
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) July 24, 2021

"Lens coach Franck Haise is, according to our information, not the Seagulls' priority," they write. " Indeed, the English club, which has made a very good start to the season in the Premier League with a provisional fourth place, favours a coach who is fluent in English.

"Note that the name of Ole Gunnar Solskjær has also been mentioned internally on Brighton's side."

Man Utd record

Solskjaer took Man Utd to the Europa League final in 2021 as well as leading them to a runners-up finish to Manchester City in that season's Premier League - something that looks like a miracle in retrospect.

He reportedly had offers from Everton and Burnley when his Old Trafford tenure came to an end, but instead has more recently been found coaching his son's under-14 team at Kristiansund.

A club legend at United who scored an injury-time winner against Barcelona in the 1999 Champions League final, Solskjaer's managerial record hasn't quite scaled the same heights, and his win percentage as Red Devils manager stands at 54.17 per cent.

Previously in charge of Cardiff City in the Premier League, and also Molde in his native Norway, might Brighton be tempted to give him a path back into the game?