Manchester United are in discussions with former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer over a sensational return to the club as their interim manager. This follows the dramatic sacking of Ruben Amorim after just 14 months in charge.
Amorim's Exit and the Search for a Stop-Gap
The club's hierarchy decided to dismiss Amorim on Monday morning. His tenure ended after an explosive rant against the board following a 1-1 draw with Leeds United over the weekend. Initially, under-18s coach Darren Fletcher has been placed in temporary charge. The Scot will lead the team for Wednesday's match at Burnley and is expected to remain for Sunday's FA Cup tie with Brighton.
However, United are leaning towards appointing a permanent new head coach in the summer. This strategy has created an interim role to be filled for the remainder of the current campaign. The club have now turned to a familiar face, holding talks with Solskjaer about taking over until the season's end.
Solskjaer's History and Current Candidacy
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is seen as having a strong chance of securing the interim position due to his deep connection with Manchester United. The 52-year-old Norwegian first joined the club as a player in 1996, spending over a decade at Old Trafford during the Sir Alex Ferguson era.
He took over as caretaker manager in December 2018 following Jose Mourinho's departure and was handed the job permanently in March 2019. His most successful season came in 2020-21, when he led United to a second-place Premier League finish and the Europa League final. The club has not finished that high in the league since his sacking in November 2021.
Solskjaer has been out of work since being sacked by Turkish side Besiktas in August last year after failing to qualify for the Champions League. His willingness to help the club and his understanding of its culture are viewed as significant assets for a short-term appointment.
Looking Ahead to a Permanent Appointment
While Solskjaer could bridge the gap, United's football leadership under Ineos are already assessing candidates for the permanent role this summer. Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner remains a top candidate. The 51-year-old Austrian is widely expected to leave Selhurst Park when his contract expires in the summer, which would align perfectly with United's timeline.
The club will also re-evaluate names from their 2024 shortlist, including Ipswich Town's Kieran McKenna. There is also appreciation for the work of Enzo Maresca at Chelsea, while some sources suggest Julian Nagelsmann could be in contention after the 2026 World Cup with Germany. United's recruitment director, Christopher Vivell, knows Nagelsmann's work well from their time at RB Leipzig.
Any new head coach will be made aware that they will operate within a wider club structure, a point of contention that contributed to Amorim's dramatic exit. Candidates like McKenna and Maresca, who are accustomed to collaborative environments, may particularly appeal for this reason.
