A Manchester United legend has opened the door for a shock Championship managerial move in the future.placeholder image
A Manchester United legend has opened the door for a shock Championship managerial move in the future. | Getty Images
A Manchester United legend has opened the door for a shock Championship managerial move
While the Premier League continues to grow and become the most followed division in world football, the Championship has taken huge strides alongside it as the players and managerial names on show become of an increasingly higher standard.
Some of English football’s most famous players have earnt their stripes in management in the second tier in recent times, such as Frank Lampard at high-flying Coventry City and Wayne Rooney, formerly of Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle.
While Rooney’s time with Blues did not quite end up as hoped, another Manchester United legend has potentially put his hat in the ring for a high-profile Championship job in the future.
With West Bromwich Albion currently struggling in mid-table under Ryan Mason and Birmingham beginning their return to the second tier inconsistently under Chris Davies, it could make interesting viewing if either club’s managerial role were to come available later in the season and the United legend comes into the running.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer puts West Brom and Birmingham on alert with Championship admission
Former Man United player and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has put a number of Championship clubs on alert after he revealed he would consider managing in the second tier if the right opportunity were to come up.
The 52-year-old has only managed four clubs in his coaching career so far, one of which was Cardiff City in 2014. The Bluebirds were relegated from the Premier League during Solskjaer’s brief tenure and he managed in the second tier for a handful of matches until his departure in September.
The Norwegian recently appeared on The Overlap’s Stick To Football podcast, and revealed that he is open to returning to management. He admitted that England is currently his priority, as he is currently living in Manchester working in a role for UEFA, and confirmed he would be open to managing in the Championship as he looks to return to the game after his sacking in the summer by Besiktas.
‘I’m open’ - Solskjaer reveals his desire to return to management
“I’m open. England’s my priority because I love living here,” Solskjaer said.
Roy Keane then interjected and asked his former United team-mate if he would consider managing in the Championship.
“My kids ask me this – of course, mid-Championship and above,” Solskjaer said. “But I’m a football man, so if it’s Norway, Sweden, wherever. It’s about working with people. I love making people the best version of themselves. When I played football manager, I always started with these teams.”
Though neither of Mason or Davies are expected to be under immediate danger at present, both young managers have faced minor scrutiny at earlier points in the season. After Solskjaer’s words, it would not be surprising to see the former Molde manager in the running should either job become available later on in the season.
While the Norwegian faced criticism during his time as boss at Old Trafford, he was managing in one of the most high-profile jobs in football and led the Red Devils to sixth, third and second-placed finishes during his time at the club. It would be intriguing to see how Solskjaer would fare if given an opportunity to manage in the second tier.
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