Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's tenure as Manchester United manager was terminated in a brutally brief meeting lasting just five minutes, the Norwegian has disclosed. The revelation comes as the club legend was recently considered for a sensational return to Old Trafford.
The Watford Defeat That Sealed His Fate
The decisive moment arrived in November 2021 following a dismal 4-1 defeat away to Watford. Solskjaer has now admitted he knew his time was up even before the final whistle, confessing he realised he would be sacked while his team trailed 2-0 at half-time.
"At half-time against Watford I knew, that's it," Solskjaer told the Stick to Football Podcast. His team talk focused on player commitment, asking: "'Whoever wants to play can play, put your hand up if you don't want to play'." He described an emotional dressing room where "couple of the lads were actually in tears."
The Five-Minute Meeting with Ed Woodward
Despite his certainty, the official axe fell the next morning. Solskjaer received a text message from then-executive vice chairman Ed Woodward summoning him to his office. "I'd just left my missus at the airport and then text her 'I think I'll be coming back with you'," he recalled.
The meeting with Woodward was starkly efficient. "I took about five minutes with Ed," Solskjaer stated. Demonstrating his characteristic professionalism, he then stayed at the club's Carrington training ground to speak with players and conduct a proper farewell interview, determined to leave with dignity.
Return Links and Carrick's Appointment
In a surprising twist, Solskjaer was linked with a return to Manchester United over the past week for the vacant interim manager's position. The 52-year-old, who had a seven-month spell at Besiktas last year, was among candidates who met with United's director of football Jason Wilcox.
However, it is fellow club legend Michael Carrick who has seemingly won the race. Reports indicate Carrick impressed Wilcox with his detailed plans and is now close to agreeing terms to become interim manager until the end of the season, taking over from caretaker Darren Fletcher.
United, currently languishing in seventh place in the Premier League and eliminated from all cup competitions, hope the appointment will stabilise a turbulent season. Negotiations with Carrick are reportedly centred on finalising his backroom staff, with a contract expected to run until the end of June.
