Manager With 54% Win Rate Keen On Sunderland Vacancy
Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen on taking the vacant position at Sunderland this summer, according to BBC journalist Nick Barnes.
Last month, the Black Cats decided to fire Michael Beale after just 12 games, marking their second managerial change of the year. The former Rangers manager seemed to be under pressure right away, but with just four victories and waning fan support, it was clear that things were going to get worse.
The 43-year-old had replaced Tony Mowbray in December and was tasked with securing the Wearsiders second successive Championship play-off spot. However, competing for a place in the Premier League now looks almost impossible, with interim boss Mike Dodds unable to stop the poor run of form, recording three losses to date.
In his third spell in temporary charge of first team affairs, the 37-year-old has been handed the reins until the end of the season. The club will then ramp up the search for a full time boss with a view of a more successful 2024/25 campaign.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the most recent person to be linked to the role, however Roy Keane and Alex Neil, two former managers, are also apparently interested. The Norwegian hasn’t had a job since leaving Old Trafford in November 2021, but German powerhouse Bayern Munich has recently taken notice of his name.
The former striker did not bring home a title with the Red Devils, but in 2021, when his club lost to Villarreal in a thrilling penalty shootout that the Spanish team won 11–10, he did come very close to winning the Europa League. In spite of this, he led his team to a 54.2% win percentage and a Premier League runner-up result.
His interest has come to light via journalist Nick Barnes, who issued an update whilst speaking on BBC Newcastle’s Total Sport programme. Via Sunderland Echo, he said:
“Some names have been thrown into the hat. Alex Neil, we know about. He is on an absolute Sunderland charm offensive at the moment.
“Roy Keane is making a lot of noises that he would be happy to return but I don’t think it will be under this ownership model. If the ownership was right I could see him coming but I don’t think he would come with this current ownership.
“Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has also thrown his hat in the ring I’m told and so has Scott Parker. There are lots of names in the frame but we will have to wait and see. If they wanted Will Still in December/January then the chances are that they will still be looking at a coach of his ilk. I think a lot depends on what happens in the summer in terms of Kyril Louis-Dreyfusa and if he’s still here.
“Obviously, it looks like he is going to be but who knows in football and whether there would be more money available to the head coach and whether they are going to be a bit more elastic on the model in terms of signing experienced players.”
Sunderland have now lost five games on the bounce, although it doesn’t get any easier for them tomorrow when they travel to promotion-chasing Southampton.
Writer’s View
Some supporters and members of the media give Ole Gunnar Solskjaer an unjustified hard time regarding his tenure at Manchester United. It’s safe to say that he produced some of the most thrilling football at Old Trafford since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, even though it undoubtedly fell apart in the end.
Having said that, he was well-liked by a large portion of the Red Devils supporters, and Erik ten Hag, his replacement, does not improve their situation. Although his unfortunate time at Cardiff City a decade ago leaves him with little Championship experience, it would be unjust to assess him based solely on that time. He would represent a huge win for Sunderland.
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