Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ‘turns down approach for national team role after talks’ despite becoming the ODDS-ON favourite for surprise managerial job
- Solskjaer’s chances of taking over a national team job were reduced this week
- The Norwegian is said to have held discussions about the manager vacancy in January
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is said to have turned down the chance to return to management in January despite talks about a vacant position.
The former Manchester United boss has not taken over any squad since being sacked by the Red Devils in 2021, but has said on a number of occasions that he is keen to return to the industry.
He had managed the likes of Cardiff and Molde before becoming coach at United, taking over permanently when Jose Mourinho left, three years before his departure.
Solskjaer became the odds-on favorite to be named the next Republic of Ireland job on Friday after seeing his odds cut from 80-1 by bookmakers.
According to the athletic, the Norwegian has confirmed that he had brief discussions about the vacancy in January.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reportedly decided the Republic of Ireland job ‘wasn’t the right choice for him’
The former Red Devils boss has not managed a team since leaving his former club in 2021
Solskjaer reportedly decided the role would not be suitable for him, with the 51-year-old claiming he had ‘no idea’ where the latest reports came from.
The Football Association of Ireland is reportedly set to announce the new manager next week.
A search has been underway since Stephen Kenny left last November at the expiration of his contract.
Kenny’s contract was not renewed after the Republic of Ireland failed to qualify for Euro 2024.
Solskjaer is one of several former Man United players who have been linked with the vacancy, with the Republic of Ireland still seeking confirmation from their new manager.
The Norwegian is still one of the contenders at various bookmakers Paddy power with the former striker listed as 10/3 second favourite.
Ex-Man United defender John O’Shea is now favorite at 13/8 after serving as interim boss during recent international matches.
Roy Keane and Steve Bruce follow at 11/2 and 17/2 respectively, with Bayern Munich coach Anthony Barry fifth favorite at 14/1.
The Republic of Ireland has been looking for a new boss since the departure of Stephen Kenny
Former Man United defender John O’Shea has served as interim manager of the men’s team
Roy Keane, meanwhile, has expressed his desire to return to coaching at international level
Keane had recently spoken on Stick to Football about his attraction to international football and how he enjoyed coaching a side at that level rather than at a club.
“International football, I enjoyed it when I was a coach,” says the former midfielder. “I liked the dynamic that you’re not in every day and it’s not about bringing in players and dealing with the board or the academy every week. Yes, that is appealing.’
‘I enjoyed the dynamics when I coached at Martin [O’Neill] with the Irish team. We had a bit of success and if you’ve had a bit of success then that’s great, but of course there are also disappointments. So yes, that could be an option.’
Although he has not been a manager since leaving Ipswich in 2011, Keane, Solskjaer’s former captain, was assistant under O’Neill and a key part of his coaching set-up between 2013 and 2018.
The Republic of Ireland last featured at a major men’s tournament under O’Neill after reaching the 2016 European Championship, before missing out on the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia after a play-off defeat to Denmark.
