Manchester United have sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a day after a 4-1 loss to newly-promoted Watford who dropped them to seventh place in the Premier League.
Former United player Michael Carrick, who is now on Solskjaer’s coaching staff, will take charge of the team for Tuesday’s Champions League encounter against Villarreal, with the club announcing that an interim manager will be appointed until the club signs a permanent manager.
The club’s official website has released an official statement regarding Solskjaer’s release.
The manager spoke for the first time after he was sacked, as he made his feelings clear. He talked to the club’s official website by saying:
“I want to get it out there, I’m going to leave by the front door because I think everyone knows I’ve given everything for this club. The away run, the unbeaten away run.”
“That’s something we don’t speak about when we’re in it because that’s not us, me, Mick, Michael, Kieran, we’re not that type of people. But that’s something for me now that I can look back at and be proud of. I think there is potential in this club. We all love the club, and we all want to see it continue…I am a fan, and I wish the players all the best.”
In July, Norwegian manager Solskjaer, 48, signed a three-year contract extension with United until 2024, but he was fired after the Red Devils lost five of their last seven league games, including defeats to Leicester City, Liverpool, Manchester City, and now Watford.
In December 2018, Solskjaer took over for Jose Mourinho on an interim basis, but after leading United to 14 wins in 19 games in all competitions, he was granted the role permanently in March 2019.
Man United showed signs of improvement as they finished third in 2019-20 and then second in the next season but this season, they have been performing very poorly.
A 4-2 loss at Leicester City on Oct. 16 was followed by a devastating 5-0 thrashing at home by arch-rivals Liverpool, and despite a 3-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur raising the hope of a comeback, Solskjaer’s destiny was decided.
A 2-0 defeat at home to champions Manchester City was not unexpected, but United was completely overwhelmed by Pep Guardiola’s side, who played with them throughout the game. After a dreadful 4-1 loss to Watford, United’s board had no choice but to make a change.
Man United fans have always opposed Joel Glazer and Ed Woodward for their management skills and the choice of selecting Michael Carrick as interim manager will raise more eyebrows
It is usual practice for teams to designate a member of the coaching staff to operate as interim managers while they look for a permanent replacement, but it is not standard practice for a club to announce that an interim short-term manager is their next hire.
Zinedine Zidane is the most preferred choice to take over the permanent job at Old Trafford. However, the club has also shortlisted a few other names in case the former Real Madrid manager refuses to take the job.
