By Ubong Sampson
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign as Manchester United’s manager has ended after a 165 game run, 91 Wins, 40 defeats and 34 draws.
Ole’s sack is consequent upon the poor performance run of the top English club in recent times with Saturday’s 1-4 loss away to bottom placed Watford being the straw that broke camel’s back.
United has confirmed Solskjaer’s assistant Michael Carrick to be placed in temporary charge, with the club looking to appoint an interim manager that will oversee the club for the rest of the season.
Solskjaer, an icon of the club, had been in charge of United for nearly three years but pressure on his position started building after humiliating losses to Liverpool and Man City despite having star players Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane in the squad.
Solskjaer signed a new three-year deal in July but leaves after overseeing five defeats in their last seven Premier League matches – a run which sees them 12 points behind leaders Chelsea.
The club hierarchy had a meeting early Sunday morning, November 21, and agreed to part ways with Solksjaer and will pay him a £7.5 million severance fee.
Posting on its social media platforms, Manchester United wrote ‘Manchester United can confirm that Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has left his role as manager. Thank you for everything Ole.’
The favourites to succeed Solskjaer are Zinedine Zidane, Brendan Rodgers, Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag.
A club statement said: “Manchester United announces that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has left his role as manager.
“Ole will always be a legend at Manchester United and it is with regret that we have reached this difficult decision. While the past few weeks have been disappointing, they should not obscure all the work he has done over the past three years to rebuild the foundations for long-term success.
“Ole leaves with our sincerest thanks for his tireless efforts as manager and our very best wishes for the future. His place in the club’s history will always be secure, not just for his story as a player, but as a great man and a manager who gave us many great moments
He will forever be welcome back at Old Trafford as part of the Manchester United family.”
Solskjaer was booed by a number of the United fans in the away end at full time at Watford, although midfielder Bruno Fernandes appeared to try to redirect their frustration towards the players.
