Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the only serious candidate to succeed Jose Mourinho as full-time Manchester United manager, with sources indicating that no other current manager or coach has been approached to discuss the position.
Despite the club’s determination to seek a high-profile, experienced coach to replace Mourinho following his sacking on Dec. 18, sources have told ESPN FC that Solskjaer has moved ahead of Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino and Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri — neither of whom have so far been approached about the United job — due to the incredible transformation he has overseen, on and off the pitch, since temporarily leaving his role as coach of Norwegian club Molde.
Solskjaer, who was appointed caretaker-manager following Mourinho’s exit, has guided United to 12 victories and two draws during his interim reign in charge, with the only defeat coming at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League round of 16 first-leg at Old Trafford on Feb 12.
United’s run of form has seen them close an 11-point deficit on the top four positions to currently sit one point adrift of fourth-place Arsenal in the Premier League. The team have also reached the FA Cup quarterfinals having eliminated Arsenal and Chelsea away from home in the earlier rounds.
Senior figures at United would not discuss the managerial search when contacted by ESPN FC, insisting only that an appointment will be made at the end of the season, as originally planned.
But having initially turned to Solskjaer, a former United player and reserve-team manager, to bring an air of calm and stability in the wake of Mourinho’s troubled final weeks at the club, the Old Trafford hierarchy now regard the 46-year-old as having made a compelling case to be given the job permanently.