Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed that Carlo Ancelotti once joked about managing Manchester United during a Premier League encounter.
Although Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will forever be remembered as a Manchester United legend, the Norwegian’s time as manager can only be described as a rollercoaster marked by hope but, ultimately, failure to win a major trophy.
Solskjaer initially took over in a caretaker capacity after replacing Jose Mourinho, and he enjoyed a sensational start, winning his first eight games in a row. He was appointed permanent manager in March 2019.
United finished third and then second in the Premier League under Solskjaer, but suffered a dip in form leading to his dismissal in November 2021.
Perhaps the biggest achievement from Solskjaer’s time in charge was how he stabilised the club’s atmosphere and lifted the dressing room. His relationship with the United fans remained strong throughout his time in charge.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United press conference
Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images
Carlo Ancelotti joked about Man Utd job
Solskjaer faced Carlo Ancelotti as a manager four times in his career, with all of the matches taking place in the Premier League.
Ancelotti, who won multiple Champions League titles with Real Madrid and AC Milan, spent two years as Everton manager between 2019 and 2021.
The Italian coach wasn’t able to get the better of Solskjaer, with United winning two and drawing as many of those matches.
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While Solskjaer is currently out of work, Ancelotti is in charge of the Brazil national team and is preparing to compete at the 2026 World Cup.
In a recent interview with BBC Sport, Solskjaer revealed a joke Ancelotti once made on the touchline while Everton were taking on United.
“I remember one game – Everton,” said Solskjaer.
“Stood there in my technical area. Carlo Ancelotti comes across, so he’s more or less in my technical area.
“Fourth official says, ‘Carlo, you need to get back into your technical area, unless you want Ole’s job?’ And he said, ‘No, no, no. Too much pressure. That job is too much pressure.’
“You know, pressure is a privilege, he’s always said that as well and I felt privileged to be the manager of Man Utd, but of course, you’re the face of everyone, everything surrounding Man Utd.
“But that pressure is a privilege because I was allowed to do that and I was allowed to deal with it in my way and that was having great staff around us, environment in and around the club was very positive, but in the end you need results.
“Unfortunately, had a very bad six-week spell and that’s too long at a club like Man Utd.”
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Solskjaer went on to explain that the pressure he felt at Old Trafford was a privilege. That suggests it won’t be long before he finds a new job.
Carlo Ancelotti was approached by Sir Alex Ferguson
Ancelotti previously revealed that United approached him to take over from Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, but he rejected the offer as he was close to joining Real Madrid.
United appointed David Moyes instead.
“You want to know from me (about coaching United)?” Ancelotti said in an interview, via Goal.
“I can say that I still keep a fantastic relationship with Sir Alex, and we met when he decided to stop (retire).
“But I was close to Real Madrid, and so I appreciate the fact that at that time he talked to me. And that’s it, no other opportunity (to manage Man Utd).”