Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Turns Down Offer To Return To Management

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has turned down the chance to manage at this year's World Cup after rejecting an approach from Iran.

The Norwegian has been out of work and kept a low profile since being sacked by Manchester United back in November.

A 4-1 defeat to lowly Watford proved to be the final nail in the coffin, with the hammering at Vicarage Road leaving United in ninth position.

Solskjaer had only signed a new extension to his deal months earlier and negotiated a £7.5 million payout upon his exit from Old Trafford.

He also had an emotional farewell interview on the club's official channels, giving a message to the fans.

As per Foot Mercato, Iran showed strong interest in giving Solskjaer his first job since the United dismissal and "appreciated his profile".

Image: Alamy

Iran are competing at their third consecutive World Cup and have been placed in Group B along with England, Wales and the United States.

The western Asian country made the surprise call to sack Dragan Skocic despite the Croatian winning 15 out of his 18 games in charge and the team sitting at No.23 in the FIFA world rankings - the highest-placed of all countries in Asia.

Solskjaer was a main candidate but the word is that he has other "short-term priorities" at this moment.

Image: Alamy

Other contenders include Iran record goalscorer and former Bayern Munich striker Ali Daei, ex Osasuna midfielder Javad Nekounam and Branko Ivankovic, who is currently in charge of Oman but managed Team Melli at the 2006 showpiece in Germany.

At United, Solskjaer was replaced by Ralf Rangnick, who was hired as interim manager and with the view to becoming a football consultant at the club.

However, the 64-year-old endure a disastrous reign and saw a limp United finish the season with their worst ever Premier League points tally and with a goal difference of zero.

Image: Alamy

He then left his position to become Austria manager without working with new permanent boss Erik ten Hag, who got off to a winning start with a 4-0 pre-season friendly win over Liverpool in Bangkok.