adminOle Gunnar Solskjaer has been confirmed as Cardiff City’s new manager. The 40-year-old former Manchester United striker met his new squad at the club’s training ground on Thursday. Solskjaer was then taken to the stadium and appeared before the media. He joins from Molde – whom he led to the Norwegian league title and cup – and replaces the sacked Malky Mackay.
He said: “It is a fantastic challenge. Cardiff are ready to take the next step up. I hope I can help them.
“I’ve always dreamt of being a manager in the Premier League and I’m delighted to get the opportunity.”
The former Norway international will be given significant funds by Tan to spend on new signings in the current transfer window.
Solskjaer, who scored the winner in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich in 1999, made 235 appearances for the Old Trafford club. He also won six Premier League titles and two FA Cups.
After ending his playing career in 2007, Solskjaer took charge of United’s reserve team for two-and-a-half years before guiding Molde to their first Norwegian league title in 100 years in 2011.
He successfully led Molde’s defence of their title as his managerial success attracted the attention of Premier League clubs. Molde could only finish sixth behind champions Stromgodset this season, but they did beat Rosenborg in November to take the Norwegian Football Cup for the third time in their history.
Solskjaer held talks with Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner in May 2012 following the sacking of Alex McLeish, but the man who earned the nickname “the baby-faced assassin” opted to remain with Molde because he was reluctant to uproot his wife Silje and three children from Norway.
He was also a candidate to replace Steve Kean at Blackburn Rovers in the Championship last season. Solskjaer becomes the fourth Norwegian to take charge of an English league club, following Egil Olsen at Wimbledon in 1999, Stale Solbakken at Wolves in 2012 and Henning Berg at Blackburn in 2012. — BBC Sport
Online Reporter