Solskjaer: I 'wouldn't say no' to replacing Michael Carrick as Man Utd manager
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted he ‘wouldn’t say no’ to returning to Manchester United and replacing Michael Carrick if the under-pressure head coach is sacked by the club.
United appointed Carrick as full-time manager in May after an impressive stint as caretaker boss but the new season has started disastrously, with the club sitting 17th in the Premier League after a nine-match winless run.
With United considering making a managerial change in the upcoming international break, Solskjaer suggested he’d be open to taking the role if offered, although the Norwegian insisted he was not thinking of that outcome and backed Carrick to succeed.
When asked if he missed managing Man Utd, Solskjaer told Norway’s TV 2: “Yes, I mean, when we sit here like this…those were wonderful times, but everything in its time. I miss it, yes. I could have imagined being there forever, but life goes on.
“If Michael does well for ten years and decides to quit, and they ask me if I can take them for two months, of course I wouldn't say no. I've been at that club for 18-19 years, so it's part of the family. But it's not something I'm thinking about.”
“Michael has what it takes to take that club forward. I think he's the right man. He understands the club, understands the fans and knows what's needed. You don't see the bastard in him. But he does! And so do I! We are so incredibly similar.
Solsksjaer admits ‘unresolved’ temptation to return to Man Utd job
Carrick was initially handed to job temporarily after Ruben Amorim was sacked in January and Solskjaer revealed that he had spoken to United officials during that time, although not strictly to take the manager’s job.
Solskjaer spent nearly three years in charge at Old Trafford before being sacked in 2021 and the club legend admitted it would have been ‘nice’ to return to United, having felt as though there were things still ‘unresolved’ inside him.
“When I spoke to United, I also boasted about Michael. ‘If you choose him, you will get a good man’, I said. I think he did the same to me,” Solskjaer said.
“None of us were desperate to get the job. We'd probably be up for the job if they asked. At the time, there was talk of being an interim coach for the rest of the season.
“I had a nice chat with Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada. We didn't talk about contract length or anything. I volunteered if needed and didn't have any demands.
“I gave my input on what is needed for the club to move forward. It was one small chat we had. There were no negotiations.
“Going back to what has been is not always as good. Yes, I had lined up, but I didn't think it would last longer than the summer. It was probably time for someone else to try.
“I also feel like I have something unresolved. Of course it would have been nice to have the opportunity again.”
