LONDON • Manchester United yesterday turned to former striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to steady the ship until the end of the season, confirming him as caretaker manager in the wake of Jose Mourinho's sacking.
The Norwegian, who leaves his role as manager of Molde, whom he led to two Norwegian league titles in 2011 and 2012, will be joined by Mike Phelan as assistant manager.
The Englishman previously carried out that role under former United boss Alex Ferguson for five seasons before leaving in 2013.
On Tuesday, United parted company with Mourinho with the club in sixth spot in the English Premier League, having made their worst start to a season for 28 years.
The appointment of Solskjaer to inject some life into the Red Devils in some ways mirrors his playing career at the club, where he scored 126 goals between 1996 and 2007, often as an impact substitute.
His most memorable contribution came in the 1999 Champions League final victory over Bayern Munich, when he netted the stoppage-time winner.
"Manchester United is in my heart and it's brilliant to be coming back in this role," the former Cardiff manager said in a statement. "I'm really looking forward to working with the very talented squad we have, the staff and everyone at the club."
CROWD PLEASER
We are confident they will unite the players and the fans as we head into the second half of the season.
ED WOODWARD, United's executive vice-chairman, on the appointment of 1999 Champions League final hero Solskjaer as caretaker manager and another former player Mike Phelan as assistant manager.
POOR DECISION
If they appoint a new manager in the summer, he's not going to have much time to look for players. There is a real concern that you could have two seasons of rebuilding again.
DARREN FLETCHER, ex-United midfielder, criticising the move not to hire a full-time coach immediately.
Coincidentally, his first task will be to try and guide United to a much-needed league win at Cardiff - the club who were relegated from the English top flight on his watch in 2014 - on Saturday.
But United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward expressed his confidence the "club legend" would be able to bring some cheer to the Old Trafford faithful.
He said: "His history at Manchester United means he lives and breathes the culture here, and everyone at the club is delighted to have him and Mike Phelan back.
"We are confident they will unite the players and the fans as we head into the second half of the season."
The club are also understood to be looking for a director of football - a first for United - to oversee operations, a position which Mourinho was opposed to.
Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna, both part of his backroom staff, will be retained to work under Solskjaer, whom the Manchester United Supporters' Trust labelled the "ultimate super-sub and was just the man for the job".
The "Baby-faced Assassin", as he was popularly known by during his playing days, was given the blessing of Molde and earned plaudits from Ms Erna Solberg, the country's Prime Minister.
She tweeted: "Finally confirmed! Great day for Norwegian football."
Pundit Gary Neville, who has been vocal about United's need to hire someone who meets the club's "key principles", felt his former teammate could "bring the feel-good factor back".
He told Sky Sports: "At this moment in time, I can see where an interim appointment becomes someone who brings favour and goodwill, and he absolutely would.
Â
Â
Â
"(He would) hold the fort until the end of the season and then United can go and get the next manager of this club for the next five to six months."
However, the former United defender warned the club's floundering stars their "excuses were gone now" and they "had to perform" as there would be no more flare-ups.
But not all were sold on Solskjaer taking on one of the biggest jobs in football as an interim boss, with former United midfielder Darren Fletcher declaring the announcement akin to "writing off this season and next season".
He told the BBC: "United should never be in this position. If they appoint a new manager in the summer, he's not going to have much time to look for players. There is a real concern that you could have two seasons of rebuilding again."
Former United midfielder Paul Ince was even more scathing, slamming the decision to opt for Solskjaer over former defensive stalwart Steve Bruce as "absolute madness".
He told bookmaker Paddy Power: "That has to be a joke. Yes, he's (Bruce) been sacked (as Aston Villa manager in October), but we've all been sacked before. Between him and Solskjaer, there's no comparison."
Shiotani fires Japan past Uzbeks, Qatar's Ali downs Saudis
Liverpool's Croatian defender Dejan Lovren (L), Liverpool's Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah (C) and Liverpool's English forward Daniel Sturridge celebrate after winning the UEFA Champions League final football match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid on June 1, 2019.
Football: Sacked Puel says it was an 'honour' to manage
Chelsea boss Sarri demands more from 'individual' Hazard
On Sunday, Warriors FC needed a 94th-minute goal to hold Home United to a 2-2 draw at the Bishan Stadium. Last night, defending champions Tampines Rovers surrendered a two-goal lead as they were
Singapore-based Australian DJ Adam Sky dies in luxury Bali
Gotze, though, feels there are other ways to measure Dortmund's success under new coach Favre, who took charge after leaving Nice. "I think two things are important. Not only the result at the end of the season and if you make it in the Champions League or not, but also the way you achieve your goals is important as well," Gotze added.
Champions League: Gotze expects success for Dortmund - Sportstar
Maurizio Sarri says he is not worried about Chelsea's looming transfer embargo, insisting he has confidence in his squad as he targets a top-four finish in the Premier League. The Stamford Bridge club, who host London rivals West Ham on Monday, are fifth in the table, level on 63 points with fourth-placed Arsenal, who have a game in hand.
Chelsea can cope with transfer ban, says Sarri - punchng.com
LONDON (AFP) - Alexis Sanchez came back to haunt Arsenal as the Chilean opened the scoring in Manchester United's 3-1 FA Cup fourth-round win on Friday (Jan 25) to maintain Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's
Watch: Sanchez haunts Arsenal as United maintain perfect
NEWCASTLE, United Kingdom (AFP) - Liverpool struck late through Divock Origi to move back top of the Premier League with a thrilling 3-2 win at Newcastle on Saturday (May 4) and keep their hopes
Liverpool back on top with Newcastle win but lose Salah
(Reuters) - Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg scored the goal as Southampton withstood a second-half onslaught from Brighton & Hove Albion to secure a vital 1-0 Premier League victory on Saturday. The win put
Brighton 0-1 Southampton: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg strike seals
England's greatest goalkeeper and 1966 World Cup winner Gordon Banks has died at the age of 81 after losing his battle with kidney cancer.
Football: England bids farewell to World Cup-winning 'keeper
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen