Manchester United appoints Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as interim manager

Former Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been appointed as the club’s caretaker manager until the end of the 2018/19 season following the dismissal of Jose Mourinho.

The 45-year-old Solskjaer spent 11 seasons at Old Trafford, famously scoring the winning goal in the 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

He Norwegian told the club’s official website: “Manchester United is in my heart and it’s brilliant to be coming back in this role. I’m really looking forward to working with the very talented squad we have, the staff and everyone at the club.”

United fired Mourinho Tuesday with the club languishing in sixth place in the English Premier League, 19 points behind leaders Liverpool after Sunday’s insipid 3-1 defeat at Anfield.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (L) joined Manchester United from Norwegian side Molde in 1996. At the time he was relatively unknown outside of Norway.

The striker became a vital member of the team, scoring 126 goals in 11 seasons at Old Trafford. He was nicknamed the "baby-faced assassin" for his youthful image and killer instinct in front of goal.

He became a United legend for scoring the winning goal in the 1999 Champions League final. His last-minute volley completed a stunning comeback against Bayern Munich.

Solskjaer (L) retired in 2007. He won six Premier League titles, two FA Cup trophies and a Champions League during a glittering playing career.

The Norwegian didn't leave the club entirely though. He spent three years managing the Manchester United reserve team, learning from Alex Ferguson.

In 2011, Solskjaer returned to Molde as the club's new first-team manager. He won consecutive domestic titles in a successful spell at his old side.

A return to the Premier League soon followed. In January 2014, he took over Cardiff City but his time in Wales was less successful. His side were relegated into the Championship and Solskjaer was sacked after a bad start to his second season.

Following his dismissal, Solskjaer returned to Molde to retake his position as first-team manager.

On 19 December, 2019, Solskjaer was appointed as United's caretaker manager until the end of the 2018/19 season -- following Jose Mourinho's dismissal.

With the Norwegian at the wheel, Manchester United's players looked rejuvenated -- with the likes of Paul Pogba shining under the new regime. United won its first eight games under Solskjaer and climbed back into contention for a top-four finish in the English Premier League.

His credentials for the permanent job were given a boost after staging a stunning comeback to defeat PSG in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Solskjaer's side overturned a two-goal deficit at the Parc des Princes stadium, courtesy of a last-gasp penalty by Marcus Rashford.

On 28 March 2019, Manchester United appointed Solskjaer as its new permanent manager.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Manchester United's new manager

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READ: Who is the right man to replace Mourinho?

Solskjaer, who recently signed a new deal as manager of Norwegian club Molde, will take charge of his first match on Saturday, against Cardiff City – a club he previously managed without much success.

Mike Phelan, a coach at United during Alex Ferguson’s managerial reign, returns to the club as assistant manager.

In a statement, United’s chief executive Ed Woodward said: “Ole is a club legend with huge experience, both on the pitch and in coaching roles.

“His history at Manchester United means he lives and breathes the culture here and everyone at the club is delighted to have him and Mike Phelan back. We are confident they will unite the players and the fans as we head into the second half of the season.”

The club said Solskjaer would remain in charge while the club conducted “a thorough recruitment process for a new full-time manager.”

During Jose Mourinho's coaching career the third season in charge of the clubs he has managed has always provided tricky ...

With United trailing English Premier League leaders Liverpool by 19 points, Mourinho was fired by United on Tuesday.

The final straw for United's decision makers was the club's 3-1 defeat at rivals Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

For a club that has won 20 league titles, the 2018/2019 season has been United's worst ever Premier League start.

During the season there's been reported friction between Mourinho and United's star player Paul Pogba. The World Cup winner was one of United's unused substitutes in the defeat by Liverpool.

One of the criticisms that Mourinho has faced during his Old Trafford tenure is the style of football his team has played. While Pep Guardiola's Manchester City and Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool have delivered stylish brands of football, Mourinho's United hasn't been very entertaining to watch.

In October, stewards at Stamford Bridge had to hold back Mourinho after he was incensed by a member of the home team's support staff — Marco Ianni — crossing into the United technical area.

Mourinho gestures to the crowd after United beat Juventus in a Champions League group stage game. United's qualification for the competition's knockout stages has been the one silver lining this season.

United will face Paris Saint-Germain in the last-16 round of the Champions League.

During Mourinho's first season in charge at Old Trafford, United won the League Cup as well as the Europa League. Here Mourinho is pictured celebrating the Europa League final win against Ajax in Stockholm.

Jose Mourinho: The Manchester United years

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‘Baby-faced assasin’

Nicknamed the “baby-faced Assassin,” Solskjaer scored 126 goals in 366 appearances for United during Ferguson’s trophy-laden years, coming off the bench in the Champions League final in 1999 to secure a dramatic victory for United in the dying moments of the match.

In 2008, he started his coaching career as United’s reserve team manager before becoming boss of Molde.

His sole experience of managing in the English Premier League was unsuccessful. The Norwegian was in charge of Cardiff when the Welsh side was relegated to English football’s second tier in May 2014.

He was sacked the following December, leaving Cardiff with a record of 16 defeats in 30 games.