With new Manchester United interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer being renowned for his illustrious career under the tutelage of former boss Sir Alex
Solskjaer was confirmed as the Red Devils fourth manager in five years since the retirement of Ferguson, who dominated English football and created a dynasty over his 26-year tenure.
With his appointment of the Norweigan, we take a look at the top five players who ventured into management.
Laurent Blanc
Le Président ended his professional football career at Old Trafford after winning the Premier League in the 2002/03 season.
Known as a dominant leader and goalscoring defender, Blanc forged an incredibly successful managerial career within his homeland, winning the domestic treble with Bordeaux before two years as France national team head coach.
A move to Paris Saint-Germain followed, where he lifted 11 major titles in three years.
Roy Keane
Forever remembered as Ferguson’s midfield general, the fine Republic of Ireland midfielder has also enjoyed a lengthy managerial career.
Two-year stints with Sunderland and Ipswich preceded five years as Republic of Ireland assistant working under boss Martin O’Neill.
Keane and O’Neill helped Ireland reach Euro 2016 via the play-offs, but were knocked out 2-1 in the last 16 by France before leaving their roles last month.
Paul Ince
Former England midfielder Ince dipped his toes into managerial waters in a role as player-coach at Swindon back in 2006.
Another player-manager gig followed at Macclesfield, before stints with MK Dons and then a lucrative Premier League move to Blackburn.
Ince returned to MK Dons in 2009 but a year later wound up at Notts County.
His last managerial role came at Blackpool, in the 2013/14 season.
Ryan Giggs
Giggs moved seamlessly into a coaching role as a player-coach assistant to new boss David Moyes after 24 iconic years at the Theatre of Dreams.
The club legend then took a caretaker player-manager role until the end of the season, before moving fully into coaching at the club under Louis Van Gaal.
Giggs left Old Trafford on Jose Mourinho’s managerial appointment in July 2016 and in January 2018 he succeeded Chris Coleman as Wales manager.
Steve Bruce
The no-nonsense defender and inspirational captain led United to sustained success, moved straight into management at the end of his playing career in 1998.
However, it was with Birmingham, where he rose to prominence in the dugout as he led the club into the Premier League in 2007.
Stints at Wigan, Sunderland and Hull City soon followed with a relative degree of success before his Aston Villa tenure ended with the sack in October – one day after a fan hurled a cabbage on to the pitch in protest.
Honourable mentions: Jaap Stam, Gordon Strachan, Bryan Robson and Teddy Sheringham.
source KICKOFF.com