Ole Gunnar Solskjær | 2021/22 Discussion

[lewwoo]

Keep him and back him, mainly because I’m not convinced we can get anybody better in, but only let him spend what he recovers from player sales. If it goes well next year, free up some actual funds from the coffers for him.

We still should have plenty from last summers coffers. Where has all that gone? I dont think giving the owners more excuses to cream off the transfer kitty is the way forward. If they saved back 200 mill last summer and do the same this one you think the glazers would give 600 mill to the next manager?

 

[Matty7]

By signing a successful manager actually on the top of his game, not a manager that's long past it(LVG & Jose) and two managers blatantly out of their depth.

We should have signed Poch, there's no two ways about it.

Jose was not past is, he won the league only the season before. So that's not true. What's to say Poch was obtainable as well? You can't just say throw cash at him to pursdaude him to join also as that's not exactly going to solve things - it's not gaurenteed he would bring success. The problem is clearly deeper than the manager.

I agree but nothing we can do about it, seeing as even match going fans are dumb enough to support OGS, they should be the ones demanding better performances seeing as they are spending their precious money. But most of the match going fans still seem to be in nostalgia mode about SAF and keeping up the dumb notion that any manager should be supported.

Yes so us match going fans are dumb and are going to turn on a man who's only been in the job a few months, when 3 managers before him have failed.... Clearly the manager is not the main issue here. We are also realistic and realise a rebuild is going to take a few years. If you think by giving abuse to a man who's been In charge for a few months then that's where the issue lies...

 

[acnumber9]

Most Molde fans are glad he left and wouldn't want him back if given the opportunity. I'll leave it at that.

Why didn’t you leave it at that when you voted for him to be made permanent manager? Was that nugget of information not available to you three months after he left Molde?

 

[BeforeKeanetherewasRobson]

I just don't see it...

I mean, 5 months and there's no stamp of his own football - or if there is, this is it!

I just don't think this is the guy to give a massive rebuilding job to, it seems crazy to me. Crazy even for Woodward's usual level...

What I think will happen is that Ole continues to show he's not up to the job, he gets sacked around Christmas and we then have to employ someone else in the middle of a fecking season, and make all the same excuses for them - needs their own squad, can't be judged on 5 months worth of footy etc - and the same pattern repeats.

I just really think that the board need to step in now - right now, and correct the decision they made.

That's just my opinion.

We know, you've said ... lots of times. Oles shit.

Let's see how it goes eh?

 

[Josh 76]

Finished top of a group that had Ajax, Celtic and Fenerbache. Then went out to Sevilla 3-1 on aggregate, after losing 3-0 at their ground but winning 1-0 in Norway.
Not bad considering the players he had available.

Martinez won the FA cup with Wigan
Roy Hodgeson took Fulham to the Europa league final.
Raneri won the PL with Leicester
Not bad considering the players they had available.

 

[Dec9003]

Martinez won the FA cup with Wigan
Roy Hodgeson took Fulham to the Europa league final.
Raneri won the PL with Leicester
Not bad considering the players they had available.

Surely Ranieri* winning the league was better than not bad, no?

 

[Grylte]

Just wanted to put this out there -

Since beginning of March until the end of the season, these are the results of just-sacked-by-Brighton boss, Chris Hughton in comparison with those of Ole Solskjaer...

Hughton

W - 3

D - 3

L - 7

OGS

W - 4

D - 2

L - 8

Oh, and in that time, Brighton played City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs.

FFS, wake up, this guy needs to go, ASAP.

We need to stop putting dogmatic pride before what's best for the club.

The club need to correct this decision, and they need to do it now.

For everyone who wants Poch, this is his record since start of march, in the PL.

Wins: 3

Draws: 2

Losses: 5

Just to compare...

 

[Josh 76]

Surely Ranieri* winning the league was better than not bad, no?

Obviously
That wasn't the point I was making .

 

[Dec9003]

Obviously
That wasn't the point I was making .

If it's obvious why did you say it was not bad? Rather than great?
The point you was making is that Ole doesn't have better experience/pedigree than the managers you mentioned, which is blatantly obvious already.

 

[Roboc7]

Phil Jones got a new contract while he was in charge. That tells you all you need to know.

He was only caretaker then, the club were dishing out the contracts to Jones and others.

There’s plenty to criticise Ole for but the Jones contract is symbolic of why we are so screwed, Woodward and co making poor decisions and making players unsellable.

 

[Josh 76]

For everyone who wants Poch, this is his record since start of march, in the PL.

Wins: 3

Draws: 2

Losses: 5

Just to compare...

CL final

 

[VP89]

He was only caretaker then, the club were dishing out the contracts to Jones and others.

There’s plenty to criticise Ole for but the Jones contract is symbolic of why we are so screwed, Woodward and co making poor decisions and making players unsellable.

The club wouldn't be giving him a new contract if they didn't think Ole saw his long term future with the club. Ole has said multiple times even as caretaker that he was included in the process and had given his thoughts.

 

[1974_Fergie_Time]

Move Ole up to DOF offer him an olive branch to remain at the club

We are in relegation form right now so thank goodness the season is over

If the rumours of Levy and Poch are at loggerheads we need to make a move to get him
as I am sure Chlelsea would love him to be their manager too

The opposition fans know we have no chance of catching them up with Ole as manager
they all just laugh and say sixth

Poch would at least get some money from the Glazers to fix the squad and promote the youth players
than the zilch he gets from Levy

If Ole can turn this around i will be the first to congratulate him but i feel in 2 years time we will be sacking him
and going down the same route we have for the past 6 years

 

[Josh 76]

If it's obvious why did you say it was not bad? Rather than great?
The point you was making is that Ole doesn't have better experience/pedigree than the managers you mentioned, which is blatantly obvious already.

Your point about Ole doing well in the Europa league was good enough to get him the Utd Job is nonsense.

 

[Dec9003]

Your point about Ole doing well in the Europa league was good enough to get him the Utd Job is nonsense.

If you knew how to read you'd know that was never my point to begin with.

 

[Solius]

It is worrying how the form fell off a cliff and we still have no distinct style of play. You see other managers take over and stamp their style on a team within weeks in some cases. Look at Hassenhuttl at Southampton.

Part of me thinks it might be best if Ole just walks away. There's no way we'll sack him after literally just appointing him.

I'm extremely worried we're going to commit to what is likely a mistake and that would set us back another few years. But then there's another part of me that thinks he does deserve to buy his own players and actually have a summer to work on the team.

 

[shabadu84]

I keep saying it but backing him means allowing him to get rid of players as he wants, just as much as allowing him to sign who he wants. The messaging to the media needs to be unanimous as well, that we are focused on the long-term and that immediate results alone should not be the yardstick. As it is, they're all too happy to stick the knife in, we need to stop this "biggest club in the world" PR bullshit for some time or the club will only continue to be a joke while we regain our footing and the rebuild will take even longer. We're not getting rid of the Glazers any time soon so we can only try and figure out how to do something with them still in charge.

 

[USREDEVIL]

I think any of us who got excited after the first dozen games or so shouldn't feel too bad about themselves - me included. It was an amazing run, made even more amazing as we played some good attacking football, and then you add to the fact that we were as depressed as we could be with Mourinho. Fast forward and our form has been almost the polar opposite. In the end, these players are decent but not good enough. I'm still behind Ole 100% BUT...if Pochettino is a possible replacement, we ought to think about that right now (having had the new information about how we've played the last 12 games or so). We've come to a fork in the road for sure.

 

[Roboc7]

The club wouldn't be giving him a new contract if they didn't think Ole saw his long term future with the club. Ole has said multiple times even as caretaker that he was included in the process and had given his thoughts.

What do you expect him to say, I don’t want him but he’s staying anyway. There was no need to give new contract to Jones but the club did because they think it’s protecting their investment and cheaper than replacing him. They used not having a manager as opportunity, a manager who they weren’t intending to employ wouldn’t make decision, not like of Smalling and Jones we’re going anywhere.

 

[Ferginolol]

Where did you read that?

Norwegian forums and talking to Molde fans.

Why didn’t you leave it at that when you voted for him to be made permanent manager? Was that nugget of information not available to you three months after he left Molde?

Mistakes can be made. Lets not make another by sticking with it.

 

[adexkola]

I think any of us who got excited after the first dozen games or so shouldn't feel too bad about themselves - me included. It was an amazing run, made even more amazing as we played some good attacking football, and then you add to the fact that we were as depressed as we could be with Mourinho. Fast forward and our form has been almost the polar opposite. In the end, these players are decent but not good enough. I'm still behind Ole 100% BUT...if Pochettino is a possible replacement, we ought to think about that right now (having had the new information about how we've played the last 12 games or so). We've come to a fork in the road for sure.

Pochettino has had the same run as Ole in the league. The only difference has been a glorified cup run.

This has nothing to do with Ole's merits by the way, but I don't see how you follow up on sacking Ole by hiring Poch.

 

[Grylte]

CL final

Roughly same form as us and Brighton in the league, with a better squad, atleast better balanced squad, that he built hmself.

 

[VP89]

What do you expect him to say, I don’t want him but he’s staying anyway. There was no need to give new contract to Jones but the club did because they think it’s protecting their investment and cheaper than replacing him. They used not having a manager as opportunity, a manager who they weren’t intending to employ wouldn’t make decision, not like of Smalling and Jones we’re going anywhere.

They can give him a rolling deal or a 2 year deal. A 4 year contract shows he's in the managers thoughts.

 

[john moran]

It is worrying how the form fell off a cliff and we still have no distinct style of play. You see other managers take over and stamp their style on a team within weeks in some cases. Look at Hassenhuttl at Southampton.

Part of me thinks it might be best if Ole just walks away. There's no way we'll sack him after literally just appointing him.

I'm extremely worried we're going to commit to what is likely a mistake and that would set us back another few years. But then there's another part of me that thinks he does deserve to buy his own players and actually have a summer to work on the team.

Hassenhuttl at Southampton did not inherit a squad of mercenaries in open revolt who had already got one manager fired.

Ollie may not be the long term answer , but right now he needs to be backed into cleaning up the mess , and getting 10- 12 of the dead wood out of the club . How people can call for his head after 6 months and not a single player signed shows their lack of any real knowledge of the game or the club .

 

[Josh 76]

If you knew how to read you'd know that was never my point to begin with.

I apologise. It's been a long day.

 

[bushyboy]

The solution was to be ruthless and not give them contracts. Fine, it happened. Being ruthless would be no longer playing them and then selling them because they would have no future at the club. We know that's not going to happen though. He's played Young non stop this entire awful period despite knowing full well Young is past it and is not going to magically get better. Instead of using that time to build toward the future by playing Dalot even more, he chose Young. If you're not expecting either fullback to give you an outstanding performance, the better option is to go for the player who can still get better.

If you did a poll on whether or not Young, Jones, and Lingard will get sold this summer, I bet 99% will not believe it. And for good reason. He's not ruthless despite the sound bites.

Good points.
That's the only issue I have with Ole. Will he be ruthless to get rid of the rotten players, especially those who are his friends? He doesn't need anymore time to assess them.
If he doesn't get rid, and the board don't back him, then he will fail.

6 out now (Fellaini, Valencia, Herrera + 3 more) + 6 in and add 3 quality players every Summer. Why are City so competitive? Ambition to be the best hence the strongest squad in world football. #BackOle

 

[USREDEVIL]

Pochettino has had the same run as Ole in the league. The only difference has been a glorified cup run.

This has nothing to do with Ole's merits by the way, but I don't see how you follow up on sacking Ole by hiring Poch.

Poch hasn't covered himself in glory lately either, but I think we all know what kind of coach he is and what he's capable of. "Glorified cup run"? I mean he's about to play the Champion's league final with Spurs... Ole is a bit of an unknown at this level. But again, i'm fine with keeping Ole if that's what we will do (most likely).

 

[Josh 76]

Roughly same form as us and Brighton in the league, with a better squad, atleast better balanced squad, that he built hmself.

With no money.

 

[adexkola]

Poch hasn't covered himself in glory lately either, but I think we all know what kind of coach he is and what he's capable of. "Glorified cup run"? I mean he's about to play the Champion's league final with Spurs... I mean with Ole he is a bit of an unknown at this level. But again, i'm fine with keeping Ole if that's what we will do (most likely).

The Champions League is a glorified cup competition, yes.

Again, if your logic on firing Ole is this miserable run we've been on in the league, why grab the manager who's just gone on the same miserable run in the league?

 

[Roboc7]

They can give him a rolling deal or a 2 year deal. A 4 year contract shows he's in the managers thoughts.

We didn’t have a manager, just a caretaker. They didn’t have to give him any kind of contract could have waited until end of season but it’s all about money not football.

That contract was signed in February, negotiations probably started as soon as or before Ole was even appointed. Jones was getting that contract no matter what.

 

[adexkola]

Anyway, troubling month and a half under OGS.

I'd still give him the summer and a proper pre-season to assess his capabilities. Check back with me in December on whether we should move him on for the next shiny thing.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

“They’re good players you know, but they’ve hit a brick wall more or less towards the end and we’ll get them positive again, optimistic again. Today, we created an unbelievable amount of chances, we just couldn’t score, and that’s human nature. When you’re not confident, feeling the world’s against you, those margins will go against you.” - Ole yesterday

Positivity and finishing isn't all were missing Ole. Everything isn't about a feeling FFS. We didn't even create all that much. You'd think we had battered them without scoring.

 

[buchansleftleg]

I think he needs to be given time. We have been through a massive rollercoaster the last few years, seeking quick fixes and trying to jump ahead of ourselves.

I'd prefer a year of younger players being inconsistent than another year of old mercenaries here for a final payday.

I think the translator has done untold damage to structures and relationships within the club. It needs to heal and this will take time.

I was at the womens game on Saturday and Ole was there, along with his wife and some officials from FA and the club.

What was noticable was the Ole engaged with everyone and so did his wife. She was clearly smiling and congratulating members of the wider United family.

Ole will get the club back to the core values we had even before Sir Alex. If he doesn't make the grade as manager he can easily be moved upstairs as a director and be a football person on the board, ready to succeed Sir Bobby and Sir Alex.

Give him some time and let him establish the journey even if he doesn't complete it as Manager I have every faith he will put the club first...unlike some of his squad.

 

[Frank Grimes]

How the hell did McTominay end up cb yesterday, was there no cb on the bench?

Edit: Just checked and no CB on the bench, what dreadful management. 5 midfielders and a left back as his outfield options. Makes no sense, guy is out of his depth.

 

[Shark]

Pochettino has had the same run as Ole in the league. The only difference has been a glorified cup run.

This has nothing to do with Ole's merits by the way, but I don't see how you follow up on sacking Ole by hiring Poch.

Because that manager is sitting in the top four and is also in a CL final. He’s also had his side consistently competing in the top four of the league over the past 5 years, on a dire budget. This isn’t David Moyes we’re talking about here, it’s a manager that’s consistently competed at the top half of the table. The manager currently in charge is doing his best impression of David Moyes at the moment, actually he’s been even worse and all signs don’t currently point to it getting any better. A 0-2 loss at home to Cardiff on the final day is nothing short of a complete joke. Sums it all up.

 

[Member 101269]

So, OGS knows which senior players he wants, Sunday he assessed the youth.. he’s dropped the players end of season event... love it ... now over to woody with the transfer list

 

[Sterling Archer]

The Champions League is a glorified cup competition, yes.

Again, if your logic on firing Ole is this miserable run we've been on in the league, why grab the manager who's just gone on the same miserable run in the league?

It's too convenient to forget Spurs' horrendous league form. They went from contenders to fourth overtaken by a dreadful Chelsea! No excuse for that as a manager of the same group of players for a few years running even with the injuries.

Pep, Klopp and Simeone are the best out there. I still give credit to Poch for finishing top 4 with a cup final given his transfer windows were nothing short of sabotage. I'd say he's definitely better than the other managers that the cafe has fawned over, Tuchel Emery Sarri.

So it comes down to choosing from the rest or stick with Ole. That's an easy one. Keep the unproven man that at least knows the club. He is talking sense, wanting a complete squad overhaul and bringing in hungry players, working on fitness and attacking. Long journey but the key is support from Ed. If he doesn't get unconditional support for the next two years , might as well just call Woodward the CEO and Manager and let the squad run itself.

 

[DavidvsGoliath]

I m all for the backing and stuff but are people actually aware ole has a winning ratio of 20% since being appointed permanently ?

Just to give you an idea: Bottom of the league Scott Parker has a 30% winning rate with Fulham ..

 

[Regulus Arcturus Black]

How the hell did McTominay end up cb yesterday, was there no cb on the bench?

Edit: Just checked and no CB on the bench, what dreadful management. 5 midfielders and a left back as his outfield options. Makes no sense, guy is out of his depth.

It was a nothing match and he used up 2 matchday places for Gomes & Greenwood, prefer that to using Darmian who simply won’t be here next season.

 

[bleedred]

OK. So his lack of experience and poor CV doesn’t count. Cardiff didn’t happened and being successful in Norway is equal to winning in a far more competitive league. Correct?

Secondly you say this isn’t his team. Sorry to disappoint you but it is. If you take this job you’re responsible for the results from day one. If you want to credit him for our first ten games then you have to accept he’s responsible for all the results up to this point. The wins and the losses. Nobody suggests it’s his fault only but the million dollar question is do we see any improvements under his command. Simple. Is this team any better then the team we saw in the beginning of the season? Do you see his vision, any structure or his long term plan? If so, enlighten me.

Five month and 20+ games isn’t a big sample size to judge him on but it isn’t a small size either. We have seen many new managers implement their identity and visions in less time so it can be done if you have the knowledge and the authority. Apart from this many supporters and some players want to see a leader who install respect and show leadership, someone who breathe confidence and knowledge. Do you think the players see this? Do you see this? If so, again, then enlightened me with what you see.

Finally, you don’t know, like the rest of us, but you hope he will be successful. This is your and many others posters defense in a nutshell. Hope....
(This is not personal, I like your optimism and the way you support Ole Gunnar the best you can. Nothing but respect even if we don’t share the same conclusions)

First. I’m really excited.

Club legend. Respected. One of Fergies favorites. What more can you ask for? His unsuccessful stint at Cardiff is to his advantage. A young leader learns ten times more from failure then from success. We should mainly judge him from his last two seasons with Molde. Solskjaer the player isn’t Ole Gunnar the manager, two different characters. I expect him to act with confidence, humble authority and being decisive when needed. I also expect Mike Phelan to guide him when necessary on daily basis and Sir Alex to be his weekly mentor. Someone who can give him perspective, calmness and boost his ego on a rainy day.

Any new interim manager has two main goals to fulfill ASAP.

Lifting the spirit inside the dressing room and getting supporters believing again. That’s the most important thing short term. His body language and expressions must install trust and respect. That’s the first step.

Secondly he must have some sort of short term vision. A realistic goal to gathered around. Making everybody reading the same page. Winning the next game is fine but a club of our stature needs something more.


I think (my wish) that OGS has the personality to succeed short term. He’s honest, straight forward and positive. That’s a stabile foundation to stand on. Nobody expects miracles. Just take the club forward with a positive approach is enough the first couple of months.

All in all I’m happy for Ole Gunnar and that the club trust and respect him so much that they are willing to give him the keys to our management room. That’s a vote of confidence. Sir Alex and Sir Booby will be his guardian angels. With Mike Phelan, Michael Carrick, McKenna, Nicky Butt, maybe Ryan Giggs and some other ex player/coach as his operating management group he has a strong core of United personalities around him. It will ensure him to feel secure when he have loyal people around him, avoiding leaks to the media and create a strong bond to the local community. Finally he knows a few a the key players in the dressing room. If he can get Pogba, DDG, Lingard and a few more inside his inner circle then he can handle the dressing room with confidence. That’s a must.

I’m optimistic. Good luck my Norwegian friend. This is the top of the mountain. Enjoy