Manchester United fans’ favourite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been confirmed as caretaker manager for the rest of the season.
Jose Mourinho’s two-and-a-half year reign was brought to an abrupt end on Tuesday, having overseen the club’s worst start to a Premier League season.
The Portuguese failed in terms of style as well as substance, with United announcing that an interim appointment would be made before bringing in a full-time replacement next summer.
The club quickly worked on bringing in former striker and reserve team boss Solskjaer from Molde, with the club announcing his appointment for the reminder of the 2018-19 campaign within 24 hours of Mourinho’s exit.
Mike Phelan, Sir Alex Ferguson’s former right-hand man, will join him as first-team coach at Old Trafford, working alongside Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna.
Solskjaer scored 126 goals in 366 appearances for United between 1996 and 2007, including the Champions League final winner that sealed the treble in 1999.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was mobbed after scoring the winner in the 1999 Champions League final.
The 45-year-old went on to become coach of the second string after retiring, before severing his 14-and-a-half year association with the club to take over at Molde for the first time at the start of 2011.
Solskjaer returned to Molde after an ill-fated time at the helm of Cardiff, who he saw relegated from the Premier League in 2014 – and will now take on in his first match as interim United boss.
“Manchester United is in my heart and it’s brilliant to be coming back in this role,” Solskjaer said upon being appointed.
“I’m really looking forward to working with the very talented squad we have, the staff and everyone at the club.”
United were intent on bringing in someone that understood the club to replace Mourinho, with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward delighted to announce Solskjaer’s temporary return.
“Ole is a club legend with huge experience, both on the pitch and in coaching roles,” Woodward said.
“His history at Manchester United means he lives and breathes the culture here and everyone at the club is delighted to have him and Mike Phelan back.
“We are confident they will unite the players and the fans as we head into the second half of the season.”
