Solskjær leaves Man United for Molde

(GSM) – Ole Gunnar Solskjær has left his position as reserves boss at Manchester United to become the manager of Norwegian side Molde.

The 37-year-old Norwegian left Molde for Old Trafford in 1996 and, following his retirement in 2007, worked for United as a coach for the club’s strikers.

He was appointed United’s reserve-team manager in 2008, bringing through the likes of Federico Macheda, Rafael and Fabio, and he won last season’s Premier Reserve League as well as the Lancashire and Manchester Senior Cups in 2009.

“Ole has accepted the position at Molde and he goes with our best wishes,” Sir Alex Ferguson said on Tuesday. “Ole has had a good period with our reserve team, which has given him a foundation to start somewhere else.

“He feels it is time he went back to Norway, which also helps his family situation. He has been a fantastic servant to us and I am sure he will do well.

“He has worked with some really good young players in our reserve team and has contributed to their development.

“Once he gets experience of managing a club in its own right, who knows where it will take him? Molde is a very progressive club in Norwegian football, so this is a good start for him.”

Gary Neville has been touted as a possible successor as reserve-team manager, but Ferguson denied any decision had been made.

“I have no idea who takes over the reserves,” he said. “We will just leave it at the moment.”

Solskjær replaces former Manchester City striker Uwe Rosler as Molde boss and will begin the role in January.

At a press conference on Tuesday, he said: “Molde FK has historically had a big focus on youth and the young players have shaped both Molde FK and Norwegian football. The focus will remain on youth.

“This is a dream job. I have discussed my future career with Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and his advice was clear: You should choose to work at a club where you like the owners, directors and other people there. The choice was therefore easy, and my family wants the same thing.”

Solskjær began his career at Clausenengen before making a move to Molde in 1995.

Following consistent performances in Norway’s Tippeligaen with Molde, scoring 31 times in 42 league appearances, saw him make a move to Manchester United.

Solskjær was instrumental in securing United’s second European title when he scored the famous winner in the Red Devils 2-1 triumph over Bayern München in 1999.

But a series of knee injuries saw him retire from football altogether in 2007.