By Editor
After winning 14 out of the 19 games he was in charge of at Manchester United after the sack of José Mário dos Santos Mourinho Félixo, Manchester United has announced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as permanent Manager of the club. He signed a three-year contract at Manchester United an impressive run as caretaker manager.
The Norwegian, who returned to Old Trafford in December, has been given the reins by Ed Woodward and the Glazer family. It is understood that Solskjaer was offered the job on a permanent basis earlier this week in a face-to-face meeting with executive vice chairman Woodward at the club’s training facility. His deal is worth around £7million a year, less than half the £18m basic the club were understood to have been paying the Norwegian’s predecessor, Mourinho.
The media reports that United will pay an undisclosed ‘ex gratia’ payment, thought to be in six figures too, to Solskjaer’s former club Molde. They are under no obligation to do so, but will make the payment as what an Old Trafford insider described as ‘a goodwill gesture’. Solskjaer has already discussed summer transfer targets at length with the club, it was also understood. Funds are available to strengthen and, according to a club source, will now ‘advance to the next level’.
The source told Sportmail, a UK-based newsmedium, ‘This was not simply about results. This was about Ole’s whole approach, his style, his man management and his strong connection to the club’s culture.’ Solskjaer may add to his backroom team but the likes of Michael Carrick, Kieran McKenna and Emilio Alvarez are all going nowhere. Nothing has yet been confirmed on the future of Mike Phelan. ‘From the first day I arrived, I felt at home at this special club,’ said Solskjaer in a statement on the club website.
‘It was an honour to be a Manchester United player, and then to start my coaching career here. The last few months have been a fantastic experience and I want to thank all of the coaches, players and staff for the work we’ve done so far. ‘This is the job that I always dreamed of doing and I’m beyond excited to have the chance to lead the club long term and hopefully deliver the continued success that our amazing fans deserve.’
The United legend played for the club between 1996 and 2007, scoring 126 goals in 366 appearances. He then coached United’s reserve side until 2011. Solskjaer has put a smile back on the faces of key personnel after a miserable final few months under Mourinho. He said: ‘It’s truly an honour, I have spoken about it in the last few months, it is the dream job for any football-interested man, for anybody involved with Manchester United.
‘I have been given the opportunity now to move the club forward. With all the potential there is, it is fantastic.’ Solskjaer was appointed on December 19 and his reign started three days later when United defeated Premier League strugglers Cardiff 5-1, with Marcus Rashford scoring the club’s first goal under the manager they had effectively loaned from Molde.
