Manager With 54% Win Rate Keen On Sunderland Vacancy
Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen on taking the vacant position at Sunderland this summer, according to BBC journalist Nick Barnes.
The Black Cats opted to make their second managerial change of the season last month when they parted company with Michael Beale after just 12 games. The ex-Rangers boss appeared to be under pressure from the outset, but with just four wins and dwindling support from the fans, the writing was on the wall.
The 43-year-old had replaced Tony Mowbray in December and was tasked with securing the Wearsiders second successive Championship play-off spot. However, competing for a place in the Premier League now looks almost impossible, with interim boss Mike Dodds unable to stop the poor run of form, recording three losses to date.
In his third spell in temporary charge of first team affairs, the 37-year-old has been handed the reins until the end of the season. The club will then ramp up the search for a full time boss with a view of a more successful 2024/25 campaign.
Former managers Alex Neil and Roy Keane are both reportedly interested in the position, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the latest to have been linked. The Norwegian has been out of a job since leaving Old Trafford in November 2021, although is one name that has attracted the attention of German giants Bayern Munich in recent weeks.
The ex-striker failed to deliver a trophy during his tenure at the Red Devils, although did come close to winning the Europa League in 2021 when his team lost to Villarreal following an epic penalty shootout, which the Spaniards won 11-10. Despite that, he achieved a 54.2% win rate whilst in charge and finished runners up in the Premier League.
His interest has come to light via journalist Nick Barnes, who issued an update whilst speaking on BBC Newcastle’s Total Sport programme. Via Sunderland Echo, he said:
“Some names have been thrown into the hat. Alex Neil, we know about. He is on an absolute Sunderland charm offensive at the moment.
“Roy Keane is making a lot of noises that he would be happy to return but I don’t think it will be under this ownership model. If the ownership was right I could see him coming but I don’t think he would come with this current ownership.
“Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has also thrown his hat in the ring I’m told and so has Scott Parker. There are lots of names in the frame but we will have to wait and see. If they wanted Will Still in December/January then the chances are that they will still be looking at a coach of his ilk. I think a lot depends on what happens in the summer in terms of Kyril Louis-Dreyfusa and if he’s still here.
“Obviously, it looks like he is going to be but who knows in football and whether there would be more money available to the head coach and whether they are going to be a bit more elastic on the model in terms of signing experienced players.”
Sunderland have now lost five games on the bounce, although it doesn’t get any easier for them tomorrow when they travel to promotion-chasing Southampton
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