Featured Image Credit: Getty Images
Topics: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United, Premier League, Wolverhampton Wanderers
Jack Kenmare
Topics: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United, Premier League, Wolverhampton Wanderers
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's timely presence at Saturday's Premier League clash between Wolves and Ipswich Town has got people talking after Gary O'Neil was sacked, but there is a story behind his attendance.
It was announced on Sunday morning that O'Neil has been relieved of his duties as head coach following their 2-1 defeat against Ipswich.
After taking just nine points from 16 games this season, which placed them four points adrift of 17th place, O'Neil knew a run of four straight defeats had left his position under threat.
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"That group need me to get them in a place where they're ready to go and I'll keep fighting for them," he said after the final whistle.
"And that doesn't mean I'm not going to get sacked. For every result, the chances of me losing my job will heighten, that's nothing new - it doesn't concern me."
He added: "I'm not interested in my own position - I know the work I do every day and I know the situation we're in. To get this group to perform the way they did took a lot of work today."
But hours later, O'Neil became the third Premier League manager to be sacked this season after Erik ten Hag and Steve Cooper.
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So who will replace the former Bournemouth boss at Molineux? At the time of writing, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the bookies favourite to take the role.
Since being sacked by Manchester United in November 2021, Solskjaer has rejected several job offers, including two proposals from clubs in the Saudi Pro League.
He also turned down the chance to become Denmark manager, according to Danish magazine Tipsbladet, but his attendance at Saturday's game between Wolves and Ipswich got tongues wagging.
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That being said, it appears Solskjaer's trip to Wolverhampton was in the calendar for some time, according to journalist Andy Mitten, who recently interviewed the Norwegian.
"Don’t read too much into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer being at Wolves," wrote Mitten.
"It’s a long planned trip. He’s travelled to England with family. He’s a football geek. And he wants to see Ipswich as his friends Kieran and Martyn are coaches. And Ole’s son (he’s with all his kids) supports Ipswich."
That's right. Solskjaer's son, Elijah, is a big fan of newly-promoted Ipswich Town.
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When a fan questioned the motive behind Elijah supporting The Tractor Boys, Mitten replied: "He [Solskjaer] told me a story about how Ipswich played in his town in the 70s - so there are a lot of Ipswich fans in Kristiansund."
Even so, Solskjaer is leading the way at 2/1 to replace O'Neil ahead of David Moyes, Carlos Corberan, Sergio Conceicao and Steve Cooper, say OLBG,