Manchester United has fired Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as manager, club confirms on Sunday morning.
Solskjaer was axed after Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at Watford continued a catastrophic run of results that saw the 48-year-old Norwegian lose seven of his last 13 games in charge.
United have appointed Michael Carrick as the caretaker coach, while United search for an interim coach.
A club statement read: ‘Manchester United announces that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has left his role as manager. Ole is a Manchester United legend and we regret making this hard decision. The past weeks have been difficult, but they do not reflect the hard work Ole did over three years to build the foundations for success long-term.
‘Ole leaves with our sincerest thanks for his tireless efforts as manager and our very best wishes for the future. His place in the club’s history will always be secure, not just for his story as a player, but as a great man and a manager who gave us many great moments. His presence at Old Trafford will be a constant part of Manchester United.
‘Michael Carrick will now take charge of the team for forthcoming games, while the club looks to appoint an interim manager to the end of the season.’
After Watford’s defeat, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was fired as Man United manager
Cristiano Ronaldo (right) and Bruno Fernandes were two of the United players who lost at Watford
The Miserable Man United fan raged at Solskjaer, his players and the team at the last whistle
Solskjaer, as a player, scored the winning goal at injury time in the 1999 Champions League final. But, Solskjaer, now a manager, leaves Old Trafford feeling empty of all glory. He has not been awarded any trophies for his three years of management.
The pressure on the Norwegian manager was already building due to his poor team form in the early season and the humiliating 5-0 home loss by Liverpool. Man City also lost, but Saturday’s defeat by Watford proved too much.
Now the race is on for the top job in English football and possibly world soccer – early favorites to succeed Solskjaer include Zinedine Zidane and Brendan Rodgers as well as Mauricio Potettino, Erik ten Hag, and Mauricio pochettino.
The United board was determined to provide Solskjaer with a chance at turning around their side’s fortunes, and they showed signs that Solskjaer had made progress by beating Tottenham as well as drawing with Atalanta in their Champions League match.
However, the temporary respite from the stalemate was fleeting. Solskjaer was criticized for traveling to Norway in the last international break. The Manchester United hierarchy has relieved him of his duties.
United brought Solskjaer in on an interim basis after Jose Mourinho’s resignation.
Solskjaer scored 126 goals in 366 appearances for United between 1996 and 2007 and also managed the club’s reserve team until the end of 2010, before moving back to his native Norway with Molde.
His first eight games under his command saw him win the title. He also won two draws and amassed more Premier League points in that period than any other club.
United’s dramatic upturn in form after Solskjaer arrived saw him offered a permanent contract in March 2019. This was despite having only one managerial experience, that being with Molde in Molde.
Jose Mourinho was fired in December 2018. Solskjaer took over as interim manager.
However, the feelinggood factor is gone. He leaves United without claiming a trophy.
Solskjaer, who was appointed permanent United manager just weeks earlier, oversaw the miraculous Champions League victory against Paris Saint-Germain. It resulted in a 3-1 win in Paris.
United reached the final eight on the away goal count with a Marcus Rashford goal.
Solskjaer received a quick three-year contract. It was then renewed in June 2021. The fresh three-year deal was due to run until 2024, with the option to extend for a further year.
Solskjaer was able to oversee consecutive third- and second-placed Premier League finishes, despite failing to qualify for the Champions League in 2019.
However, after the enormous summer expenditure on Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane, and Cristiano Ronaldo it became clear that Solskjaer was expected to bring trophies and be a formidable challenger for the Premier League title.
His title bid looks already in ruin. He was defeated on penalties last season by Villarreal, a Spanish team in the Europa League final.
After last season’s second place finish, Solskjaer was under a lot of pressure and expectation.
Solskjaer had one of his greatest managerial successes in Paris when United won a dramatic comeback over PSG. This win earned him the permanent job a few days later.
He was unable to win a trophy, but the Europa League final loss last season was his closest.
He was given the funds to finally secure the two-year long pursuit of English starlet Sancho, who signed in a deal initially for £73million, rising to a huge £150m.
Solskjaer has been criticised for not settling Sancho at United in this season’s final game.
The arrival of the winger has also limited the prospects of Ivory Coast teenager Amad Diallo, who signed last year in a £37m deal from Atalanta.
United also supported Varane’s manager, with statements for Real Madrid and Varane. United also honored Ronaldo with the emotional resignation of their football hero.
Solskjaer received further criticism for Ronaldo’s return, which hampered his side. United was less forward-thinking and aggressive in the defensive press.
United is now focusing their attention on Solskjaer’s replacement.
Zinedine Zidane, an old friend of Ronaldo at Real Madrid is one contender for the presidency
Brendan Rodgers (left), and Mauricio Puchettino, (right) are in the frame.
Zidane was the French World Cup champion. He led Real Madrid to three Champions Leagues and twice won the Spanish league before he quit in May.
Rodgers currently holds the post of Leicester City manager. His achievements include twice being so close to winning Champions League football, and the FA Cup win to lift the club above their weight. He impressed also at Celtic and Liverpool until the decline at Anfield.
Pochettino is still employed at PSG, where he was a huge success over five years, despite never having won a trophy.
This super-rich French club has signed Lionel Messi in the summer.
Ten Hag might seem like an outsider, but the Dutchman is a great leader at Ajax. He has won the league title twice and turned down an offer from Tottenham.
Even though Solskjaer was sacked, Solskjaer is still a United icon because of his achievements as a player. He scored the thrilling winning goal during the 1999 Champions League final.