Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

UTD Podcast: Ole never gave up on his dream job

Thursday 19 December 2019 15:29

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reveals all about his lifelong dream to manage Manchester United – and how that became a reality exactly 12 months ago - in a special upcoming edition of UTD Podcast.

Our popular audio series has already starred the likes of Bryan Robson, Dimitar Berbatov, Darren Fletcher, Jesse Lingard, Ashley Young and Lou Macari, and is finishing 2019 on a high… with the boss!

In an extract of the feature-length episode – which will soon be available on Deezer and your favourite streaming service – Solskjaer provides a fascinating insight into his desire to lead the club. 

“I went to Cardiff because I thought there was potential for me to do well with them and then impress everyone at Man United because that has always been my drive,” says Ole to hosts David May, Helen Evans and Sam Homewood, in the players’ briefing room at the Aon Training Complex.
UTD Podcast: Ole recalls his appointment Video

UTD Podcast: Ole recalls his appointment

Solskjaer had always dreamed of managing the club and, as he explains on UTD Podcast, he jumped at the chance...

“I wanted to come here to United. But it didn't work out and I went back to Molde. When I signed a new contract there I always said 'if Man United comes in for me, I want it in my contract that I can go on a free - if they come, if they call, if I am daft, or naive, or stupid enough to still believe that.’ 

“And of course nobody would think that after what I did with Cardiff. But I had that written into my contract and that was the only club.”

Focusing on the day of his eventual appointment, on 19 December 2018, Solskjaer goes into incredible detail about the three men he phoned, before meeting the players on his first day as boss.
“I was trying to get hold of Mick Phelan because I knew I needed Mick with me,” recalls the manager. “He was apparently doing a coaching session at a college up in Burnley and I couldn't get hold of him. From the moment I got the call, I rang him, I rang him and I rang him. 

“I rang the gaffer [Sir Alex] first by the way and said 'I have been offered this and what do you think?'. He said 'yeah you will be fine'. I knew I needed Mick. I finally got hold him and he said yes. He had about 150 missed calls. The gaffer rang him as well and said 'you need to speak to Ole'.

“I remember I was nervous walking in, for the first meeting with the players. They were sat there and waiting, of course. I spoke to Carras the day after the club rang and he told me what they had been doing in training. I had a good chat with him because Michael is a top, top guy.”
UTD Podcast: Solskjaer's first year as boss Video

UTD Podcast: Solskjaer's first year as boss

As you will hear in the new UTD Podcast, Ole offers an honest analysis of his first 12 months as manager...

When asked if he had a plan for the United squad from afar, even before his appointment as caretaker manager, Ole’s answer hints at a steel nature that often is overlooked. 

“Of course,” he says. “I have always followed Man United since I signed for us and I had my own ideas about how this team should be playing, and who should be here and who shouldn't be here.”

Look out for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on UTD Podcast in the near future.

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