Solskjaer is out! A blow of grace and hope for Manchester United?

Norwegian coach and legendary Red Devils striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is quitting Manchester United. He has paid the price for the club’s disappointing results.

After Saturday’s 1:4 loss at Watford, Solskjaer’s departure as Manchester United head coach seemed inevitable and the only possible option. The day after the game, the club issued an official statement confirming this fact.

Although the former Red Devils striker signed a new, three-year contract in the summer, he did not even last on the United bench until the end of the first year. What’s more, the management parted ways with him before a third of this year’s Premier League season had been played.

Yes, that’s how badly Solskjaer performed and how many stabs he took.

Seventh place in an incomplete league table and more than a ten-point gap to leaders Chelsea. Add to that the tragic display of the players on the pitch, a quite obvious deficiency in tactical preparation. There was no end to the misery, Manchester United were a laughing stock. Although Solskjaer had long had confidence even after not winning a single trophy for three years, the patience of the owners and management was not boundless.

“Ole will always be seen as a Manchester United legend and we regret having to come to this decision, ” an official club statement said.

“The last few weeks have been very disappointing, but let’s not forget how much good work Solskjaer has done for Manchester United during his tenure. We wish him well for the future and will continue to welcome him to Old Trafford. Ole will always be a member of our family.”

Solskjaer has coached 168 games on the United bench, winning 54% of them. Mourinho boasts a slightly better record of 58% of games won, while Van Gaal (52%) and Moyes (53%) are even less successful.

However, in the context of Manchester United spending the highest amount on transfers of any Premier League club, we would expect a higher percentage success rate.

The next game at Villarreal will see Michael Carrick, who has been serving as assistant coach, on the bench. The Red Devils ‘ first league game after Solskjaer’s departure is scheduled for November 28, when they will be welcomed by a rampant Chelsea.

Source: Sky Sports, Twitter (Manchester United)