Ole’s no longer at the wheel.
Manchester United decided to fire manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following Saturday’s harrowing 4-1 defeat to Watford, according to The Guardian’s Fabrizio Romano and Nick Ames.
The decision was reached after an emergency board meeting that lasted several hours. An announcement is reportedly imminent, with co-chairman Joel Glazer set to approve the sacking of the 48-year-old coach.
Solskjaer had received continuous support from the club’s brass even as results soured of late; he was reportedly assured his position was safe prior to the international break, even after United suffered chastening defeats to rivals Liverpool and Manchester City in quick succession.
But Saturday’s setback, the Red Devils’ fifth defeat in their last seven Premier League matches, was seemingly the final straw. The loss dropped United, considered a title contender going into the season, to seventh in the table.
“It was embarrassing, the way we played today,” goalkeeper David De Gea said after the match.
“The first half was very poor, it’s not acceptable for this club and the level of players that we have. It’s another nightmare … We don’t know what to do with the ball, we are conceding a lot of goals. It’s a horrible moment.”
Former midfielder Darren Fletcher, the club’s current technical director, could take over on an interim basis, according to Laurie Whitwell and Adam Crafton of The Athletic.
Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers and former Real Madrid tactician Zinedine Zidane have been linked with the United post for some time and could be among the options to succeed the Norwegian permanently.
Solskjaer assumed the managerial position at Old Trafford in December 2018, replacing the ousted Jose Mourinho. He oversaw an immediate uptick in results, winning 14 of his first 19 matches in charge.
He’s been incapable of replicating that success; his tactics and management of United’s star-studded squad has come under intense scrutiny, particularly of late. The club has invested heavily with Solskjaer at the helm, spending over £400 million in transfer fees in the last three seasons.
The arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho, and Raphael Varane prior to the current season were expected to push the team over the top and help United claim their first trophy since winning the Europa League in 2017.
Instead, the situation has deteriorated, culminating with the loss against Watford, a team that went into the contest in the thick of the relegation battle.
“I feel for the fans, and I feel the same as them. We’re embarrassed by losing the way we do,” Solskjaer, who inked a three-year contract extension this past summer, told Sky Sports on Saturday. “We know we are in a very bad run and a bad situation, but that’s football, and I know they’ll support whoever is on the pitch every day, and sometimes you’ve got to say sorry.”
