Solskjaer REJECTS shock return to management after Man Utd sacking

Robin Bairner

11 Sept 2023 08:27 BST
3 min read

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has not made a return to management following his sacking as Manchester United manager in the autumn of 2021 – but the Norwegian was offered the chance to take up a surprise post.

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Solskjaer struggled during his time with the Red Devils, who he led for nearly three years, but had two successful spells with Molde in his homeland previously.

This strong reputation in Norway led to him being offered the job as the head coach of the national women’s football team – but he revealed he turned down the opportunity.

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“Yes, I have spoken to the association about the job as national coach, of course I have,” Solskjaer told NRK. “They have asked, but I’m not ready for that yet.”

Norway’s women have been without a coach since 1 September, when they sacked Hege Riise following a poor performance at the Women’s World Cup.

Indeed, Riise was the subject to significant criticism from some players, with Barcelona’s Caroline Graham Hansen telling Viaplay: “I feel like I’ve been stepped on for a year. I’ve not been shown respect.”

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What next for Solskjaer?

Even if Solskjaer will not be taking up this post, he has previously indicated that he feels he will return to the dugout at some point.

“I’ve got another job in me, if it’s the right chance and exciting enough,” he said in May.

“There are so many clubs, but I’m not going to work just for the sake of working. It has to be something special, a new culture, or a club that really excites me. Or maybe Man Utd will want me back at the club in some capacity, who knows?”

Solskjaer oversaw 168 matches in charge of Man Utd, winning 91, giving him a win percentage of 54.17 but he was unable to win any silverware during his time at Old Trafford.