Molde’s Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replacement and their club captain have responded to the news of their former boss’ permanent appointment as Manchester United manager.
Solskjaer has signed a three-year deal at Old Trafford after winning 14 of his 19 games in charge as caretaker boss, bringing the club back into the top four race, as well as reaching the Champions League quarter-finals.
Molde’s reaction to Ole staying at the wheel: Five things to know…
- Solskjaer took over as Man Utd caretaker boss following Jose Mourinho’s departure in December.
- The ex-striker has won 14 of his 19 games in charge at Old Trafford.
- That has fired United back into top four contention, as well as the Champions League quarter-finals.
- United have rewarded Solskjaer with a three-year permanent deal despite Molde initially expecting him to return in the summer.
- However, Molde’s new boss and their club captain have wish Solskjaer well, insisting they ‘cheer on’ United when they play.
The ex-striker was initially meant to rejoin Molde at the end of the Premier League season but his effect in turning the Red Devils’ season around has seen Solskjaer rewarded with a permanent deal, although his former club aren’t taking the news too hard.
“I’m pretty sure Ole thrives on winning football matches over there and he probably wants to develop what he’s doing. It’s fun that he gets that chance,” said Molde coach Erling Moe.
“What he does over there is fantastic and incredibly fun, mostly for himself, but also for Molde and the good talk it gives.
“Norwegian football is probably benefitting a lot from what is happening, in relation to our reputation rising.”
Norway’s domestic season begins this weekend, with Molde looking to overturn a five-point defecit on champions Rosenborg from last season.
And Moe is now aiming to push any Solskjaer talk to the side and focus on the task at hand.
“Getting to work as a head coach here is both interesting and educational, even though it should be said that I thought the same when I was an assistant,” Moe added.
“The most important thing for me is to keep football in a group that wants to improve.
“I know that no coaches in the Eliteserien had got anything without their assistants, so it is an interaction.
“But I also like to decide a little, so I have no problems with that.”
Molde captain: We cheer Solskjaer on
Molde captain, Ruben Gabrielsen, also wishes Solskjaer well on his United opportunity, admitting he and his teammates ‘cheer on’ their former manager whenever they watch Man Utd play.
“That he does so well (at United) is very fun,” Gabrielsen said.
“I often look at United when they play and think “please, win”.
“Everybody enjoys that job and we cheer him on.”
Solskjaer’s first game as permanent United manager is at home to Watford on Saturday.