Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has delivered a candid insight into the moment he realised his time at the club was up, drawing parallels with the recent dismissal of Ruben Amorim. The Norwegian was sacked in November 2021, a fate that has now befallen six permanent bosses since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure.
The Watford Watershed: A Half-Time Realisation
Solskjaer's near three-year reign ended following a disastrous run of form, culminating in a heavy defeat away to Watford. The ex-United striker has now revealed that he understood his fate was sealed before the final whistle had even blown at Vicarage Road.
"I more or less knew at half-time," Solskjaer confessed in an interview with The National. With his team already 2-0 down to the struggling Hornets, his final team talk was not a tactical overhaul but a plea for one last show of spirit. "My team talk was about enjoying the last 45 minutes together and giving their all," he stated, acknowledging that some players had "stopped running, caring."
A Tumultuous Tenure of Highs and Lows
Appointed initially as caretaker in December 2018, Solskjaer's tenure was a rollercoaster. He secured a third and then a second-place finish in the Premier League, making him one of only two post-Ferguson managers, alongside Jose Mourinho, to finish as runners-up.
The summer of 2021 promised a new dawn with the high-profile signings of Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane, and Jadon Sancho. However, the season swiftly unravelled. A 5-0 humiliation by Liverpool at Old Trafford was followed by a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City, before the fateful trip to Watford.
Despite a brief second-half rally and a goal from Donny van de Beek, a red card and two late Watford goals sealed a 4-1 loss. Solskjaer was dismissed the following day. He reflected, "The end at Watford, well you can’t get lower than that."
Legacy of Near-Misses and Lasting Criticism
Solskjaer's time in charge was also marked by agonising near-misses in cup competitions. The most painful was a defeat in the Europa League final to Villarreal in 2021, missing a crucial chance to end the club's trophy drought.
Throughout his tenure, he faced persistent criticism over a perceived lack of a defined playing style or football philosophy. His spell since leaving United, a brief stint with Turkish side Besiktas that lasted less than a year, has done little to quieten those detractors.
His departure led to an interim period under Ralf Rangnick before the permanent appointment of Erik ten Hag. The cycle of hiring and firing at Old Trafford continues, with Ruben Amorim becoming the latest casualty, underscoring the immense pressure and instability that has defined the club's leadership for over a decade.
