Molde appoint Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as manager
Norwegian club Molde are set to unveil former Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as their new coach at a press conference this afternoon – bringing an end to his 14-year association with the Red Devils.
The 37-year-old is poised to take over from former Manchester City forward Uwe Rösler, who was in temporary charge of the club until recently.
"It's no secret that we have worked intensely to get Ole Gunnar," Molde chairman Erik Berg said on Sunday.
Solskjaer ended his playing career in 2007 after 11 hugely successful years at Old Trafford – where he won six league titles, two FA Cups and the European Cup - but has since remained at the club as the reserve team manager. Naturally, he impressed in his first managerial role, winning the 2008 Lancashire Senior Cup, and helping to develop the next generation of Manchester United hopefuls.
Iconic in his home country and loved by the supporters at Old Trafford, who still proudly hang the ’20 LEGEND’ banner off the second tier of the Stretford End and sing chants devoted to him, Solskjaer’s revered reputation earned him an offer from the Norwegian FA to become the national team coach of his home country.
But despite the prestige that comes with managing your national team, the former Norway international reluctantly rejected the opportunity because of his lack of experience.
"I didn't think it was the right time for me to accept the job, although obviously it was an honour to be asked," he told TV2.
"My boss [Sir Alex Ferguson] also has a lot of respect for the fact I didn't leave for the first job that came along."
Most famous for scoring the dramatic injury-time winner in the 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich, Solskjaer has legendary status at United and would be welcomed back with open arms if the chance arose.
And the former striker hopes that one day in the future, an opportunity to manage the Premier League giants will present itself.
"I want to be a manager in England," Solskjaer confirmed last month. "I would like to become manager of Manchester United, too, but you do not go from being an assistant or reserve team coach to becoming head coach there - that happens almost only at Barcelona."
And for the studious Solskjaer, the opportunity to properly cut his teeth in football management by coaching the club he made his professional debut and scored 31 goals in his first season proved too tempting to turn down.
"I know how enthusiastic the fans are and how much football means to them. I am a local, I have a sense of belonging at Molde," he added.
With Ferguson among his many admirers back in England and with the huge respect of the club’s supporters, Solskjaer could well be a future Manchester United manager in the making.
But he won’t be getting carried away. The former hitman understands that it could take 10-15 years of solid work on various touchlines before he gets his chance.
Never one to shirk responsibility, United supporters are confident they haven’t seen the last of the Baby-faced Assassin.
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