Cardiff City’s search for a new manager following the recent sacking of Malky Mackay has come to a quick end with very little fuss, after the Welsh club announced the appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjær as the new manager. The Norwegian leaves Molde after a successful spell in his first senior management job, to take over at The Bluebirds.
The former Manchester United striker has been praised by most involved in the game for his good start to his life in management, after three trophies in as many seasons in Norway’s top tier. In his first two, he guided Molde to the league title, an impressive feat for someone so early on in his career in the dugout. Last season may not have been quite as successful, as Solskjær lead his time to 6th by the end of the season, 19 points behind the eventual winners Strømgodset. As a consolation, Molde were able to win the Norwegian Cup, following quarter-final and semi-final exits in 2011 and 2012 respectively.
Prior to his spell managing in his home country, Solskjær spent two-and-a-half years managing the reserves of his former club Manchester United, where he made his name for a big part in the side that was so successful with the Norwegian under Sir Alex Ferguson. He guided The Red Devils’ second team to a Premier Reserve League title in 2010, along with a Premier Reserve League North title in the same season. He’d won the Manchester Senior and Lancashire Senior Cups before this league triumph, and these early successes lead to Solskjær being offered coaching roles with the Norwegian national side and with Molde (which he took in December 2010).
Many were shocked when it emerged how close Solskjær was to taking the job. Vincent Tan’s poor treatment of previous manager Mackay was well-documented over the last few months, and it was debated why any respected or upcoming manager would want to risk their career by having to go work under Tan. There must have been some motivation, such as the attractive amount of money available to the new manager to try and bring new players in during the January transfer window. We may never know exactly why the 40-year-old has taken this job, but many will be watching keenly as he manages his first Premier League job. The Norwegian’s reign starts on Saturday 4th January, away to Newcastle United in the FA Cup.