Former United defender Ronny Johnsen believes Manchester United can solve the problem of replacing Sir Alex Ferguson by appointing somene close to home, countryman Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Solskjaer enjoyed a fruitful spell as reserve manager at Manchester United, winning the reserve league as well as the Manchester and Lancashire Senior Cups in his 3 years at the helm of the second string.
In 2011 he gave up the position to return to old club Molde and lead them to their first title, capping a perfect centenary season for the Norwegian side.
In his second season as Molde manager, Solskjaer is well in the title race and if he is able to win a second successive championship he will enhance his credentials as a future United manager, and Johnsen doesn’t see why Solskajer won’t be considered for the role.
Speaking at the opening of a United soccer school in Dubai, Johnsen said:
“I think he’s done really well as a coach so far.
“He’s second in the league, having won it last year and he’s probably going to win it this year as well. He’s in Europe too, so if he gets experience and goes from there, we’ll see. Of course when you go to Molde and do this… [it speaks for itself].
“He’s always been very precise in his football and I could always see him going down that route [into management].”
“It’s all about getting experience and then we’ll see how long Ferguson sits there. I hope he stays there many years to come, though, to be honest.”
Would love it if Ole was our next manager. He knows the United mentality and watching his Molde side he plays the right style too.
I said it a long time ago that in my opinion he is the man to follow Ferguson. He has that vital connection with United, and is proving himself that he can be a successful coach now.