As expected, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been appointed Manchester United’s caretaker manager until the end of the season.
Solskjaer will take over on a short-term basis following Tuesday’s sacking of Jose Mourinho.
On Wednesday, the club confirmed that the legendary United striker will be joined by Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant Mike Phelan, while Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna will remain part of the coaching staff.
We can confirm that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been appointed as caretaker manager until the end of the 2018/19 season.
He will be joined by Mike Phelan as first-team coach, together with Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna. #MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 19, 2018
A permanent successor to Mourinho is expected to be named next summer although it’s not been unheard of in the past to see an interim manager perform to such a standard that they earn a long-term contract.
“Manchester United is in my heart and it’s brilliant to be coming back in this role. I’m really looking forward to working with the very talented squad we have, the staff and everyone at the club,” said Solskjaer, who scored 126 goals in 366 appearances for the club.
Solskjaer had been in charge of Molde since 2015 but was said to have had a clause in his contract which would have entitled him to bring an end to his second spell with the Norwegian club if United made him an offer.
United’s executive vice chairman Ed Woodward said: “Ole is a club legend with huge experience, both on the pitch and in coaching roles. His history at Manchester United means he lives and breathes the culture here and everyone at the club is delighted to have him and Mike Phelan back. We are confident they will unite the players and the fans as we head into the second half of the season.”
