Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Returns to Football After Missing Out on Man Utd Job

After missing out on the Manchester United job, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be back at work on Wednesday night.

Solskjaer was overlooked for the United job this month as the club decided to appoint former midfielder Michael Carrick as their interim head coach until the end of the season.

The Norwegian, who was sacked by United in November 2021 following a three-year spell in charge, is understood to have held talks with the club's hierarchy over succeeding Ruben Amorim.

But those in charge went with Carrick alongside assistant manager Steve Holland and first-team coaches Jonny Evans, Travis Binnion and Jonathan Woodgate.

Ahead of United's win over Arsenal at the weekend, Carrick opened up on a recent conversation he had with Solskjaer.

"Yeah, I spoke to him," Carrick said. "I'm close, we've been through a lot together, so he's been fully supportive as you'd expect. He's some man and I respect him an awful lot, so, yeah, he wished us all the best and he was happy that we got the right result."

Carrick was part of Solskjaer's backroom staff in 2021. Image credit: Getty

Carrick added: "I've got a lot of friends in places that I can kind of pick on if I need to be. I'm not one that bothers a lot of people, to be honest, but he's certainly there if ever I need him."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to return to work on Wednesday night in UEFA role

Solskjaer will be in the stands for Liverpool's Champions League clash against Qarabag as he returns to his role as a technical observer for UEFA.

So, what does the role entail? Solskjaer and his fellow technical observers will analyse games from a coaching perspective to help UEFA spot new trends in football to improve coaching education.

After each game, they will compile a report on the match, using video and data to illustrate technical and tactical features.

Solskjaer will also have access to multiple camera angles – broadcast images, tactical and behind-goals footage – which can be injected into the report.

In the past, a number of high-profile managers have taken part in the project, including Fabio Capello, Avram Grant and Frank de Boer, who were all technical observers at Euro 2024.

Former England manager Gareth Southgate also worked as a technical director for UEFA, contributing a report for the 2024 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.

Southgate, Rafael Benitez, Ange Postecoglou, Roberto Martinez and Roy Hodgson were among the names announced as part of the panel for the 2025/26 season back in September.

Solskjaer

Back in November, Solskjaer analysed a so-called 'landmark display' from Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha in their win over Tottenham.

"He is the one who controls the rhythm of the team and who plays the line-breaking passes," said Solskjaer.

"He picks up the ball everywhere, in all phases. He gets it from the goalkeeper, on the side of the centre-backs during the build-up, rotating in and out. He also plays decisive passes and tonight scored the goals and won the penalty too. He did everything."