Revealed: The real reason behind Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s surprise trip to Molineux as ex-Manchester United boss is linked to Wolves job with pressure growing on Gary O’Neil amid chaotic scenes after Ipswich defeat

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was back in the Premier League on Saturday – albeit only as a spectator.

As a player, Solskjaer scored 91 goals in 235 Premier League games for Manchester United between 1996 and 2007.

He returned to England’s top division in 2014 as manager at Cardiff before occupying United’s hot seat between December 2018 and November 2021.

Solskjaer has not had a management job since being sacked by United more than three years ago and hinted last month that he had effectively retired when he told Norwegian podcast Bakrommet: ‘Now I do exactly what I want and enjoy it. I have reached a position where I can choose, and I am lucky. Financially I don’t need anything.’

Despite those comments, plus reports that he recently turned down offers from Denmark and former club Molde, Solskjaer is the favorite with several bookmakers to become Wolves’ next permanent manager.

Solskjaer watched Wolves at Molineux on Saturday as the Midlands side were beaten 2-1 by Ipswich Town.

Ipswich won the match 2–1 thanks to a 94th minute winning goal from number 14 Jack Taylor

Kieran McKenna was visibly delighted to see his side earn three points in the Midlands

Although the 51-year-old’s visit to Molineux was seemingly unrelated to him potentially replacing under-fire boss Gary O’Neil, his presence will obviously add fuel to the rumor mill.

The real reason behind Solskjaer’s trip to Wolverhampton was that he was keen to overtake Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna, who previously worked as a coach under the Norwegian at Old Trafford. Solskjaer is still good friends with McKenna, as well as Ipswich coach Martyn Pert – who also worked with him at United.

Solskjaer and McKenna were pictured hugging before kick-off on Saturday.

According to journalist Andy MittenSolskjaer also wanted to attend Saturday’s match because one of his sons is, somewhat surprisingly, an Ipswich fan.

Ipswich won Saturday’s match thanks to a Jack Taylor strike in the 94th minute. A Matt Doherty own goal had earlier opened the scoring before Matheus Cunha equalized for Wolves.

Wolves have now lost four games in a row in the Premier League – a run of results that has seen them drop to 19th, behind Ipswich in 18th.

There were chaotic scenes on the field after Saturday’s defeat. Wolves defender Rayan Ait-Nouri was shown a second yellow card after the final whistle and had to be led into the tunnel by teammate Craig Dawson, while teammate Cunha was also involved in some pushing and shoving.

Cunha could face a long-term ban after footage emerged of him punching a security guard before punching him in the face and taking off his glasses.

Elsewhere in the Premier League, another team managed by a former Manchester United man lost 4-0 at Newcastle on Saturday. It was Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first defeat as manager of Leicester City.

Ipswich manager McKenna and former Man United boss Solskjaer shared a hug before kick-off

Saturday’s home defeat to Ipswich put more pressure on Wolves manager Gary O’Neil

After the final whistle, chaotic scenes followed, with a lot of pushing and pulling

Wolves left back Rayan Ait-Nouri (golden shirt) received a red card after the match

Dutchman Van Nistelrooy said after the match: ‘Against a top team in the league and we help them get started with a few set pieces in their favor and it would be a tough afternoon.

‘I think it is also the development of the team. We have to learn from these games and from the way Newcastle outsmarted us on the counter-attacks. They were smart in the block and on set pieces. It’s a long season. We move on, reflect and become better from this.’

Leicester’s next game is against Wolves three days before Christmas.

Van Nistelrooy added: “Every match is huge for us. Everything has to be right to achieve results in the Premier League, and also in the next one [will be no different]’