The decision to bring in Ole Gunnar Solskjær on an interim basis is a smart one. This is not a knock on Solskjær’s managerial skills – he’s been coaching for almost a decade and has tasted success winning two league titles in Norway but also been relegated from the Premier League with Cardiff.
The search for a new manager should be thorough and comprehensive and having months to do so makes sense.
Solskjær’s appointment is also a positive in many capacities.
Yes, he is a capable manager and his first two games in charge are against Cardiff and Huddersfield who sit 16th and 19th respectively so he should get maximum points.
There’s also the added bonus of Solskjær being a favourite son and club legend, as evidenced by the number of times the 1999 Champions League final has accompanied articles and social media posts regarding his appointment.
While that second element provides feel good factor, something United desperately need after the malaise that followed Mourinho and the team this season, it can also be a slippery slope.
When and if things go bad, which in this coaching climate happens more often than not, you aren’t just removing a manager. In this case, you’re removing the man who literally scored the winning goal in your club’s greatest moment.
However, the finite nature of Solskjær’s tenure eliminates this slipperiness assuming it is stuck to.
By appointing Solskjær on an interim basis, everyone wins, assuming the results also follow. The Norwegian returns to the league were he enjoyed so much success as a player and also suffered one of his worst moments managerially.
The fans can feel optimistic for the future as well as nostalgic due to Solskjær status as a club legend.
And Molde don’t lose the manager they just re-signed earlier this month.
His opening interviews have been positive with talk about letting players express themselves sure to excite fans.
But the whole plan is dependent on the results and a deadline and United simply must stick to it.
