Fans say ‘it’s not April 1 yet’ as Bayern Munich line up sensational move for Man Utd legend Solskjaer amid horror form
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER is being lined up as a sensational replacement for Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich.
Tuchel finds himself under immense pressure at the Allianz Arena following three defeats in a row.
That sees the reigning Bundesliga champions at serious risk of an early Champions League exit and eight points off Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen.
Sky Sport Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg was first to claim Bayern are weighing up a stunning move for Solskjaer to take over as interim boss.
And SunSport understands the legendary Manchester United striker – and somewhat underwhelming boss – is indeed being eyed by the German giants.
Bayern remain unlikely to sack Tuchel before the end of the season.
But should results fail to improve, and the Bavarian bosses ditch the Champions League-winning Chelsea boss, Solskjaer would be in contention to take over as interim chief.
Zinedine Zidane is also linked with the job but Liverpool-target Xabi Alonso remains the preferred candidate as he works wonders at Leverkusen.
But the news about Solskjaer understandably left fans utterly baffled.
One joked: “It’s not April 1st yet…”
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Another wrote: “Please no.”
A third added: “Noooo. You have to be on the wind-up? Surely not?”
But a final user quipped: “Fans are going to be in for a shock when they realise that Mr ‘Just Vibes’ is actually a top-drawer head coach and man-motivator. Would be a great appointment.”
Solskjaer, 50, permanently etched his name into Manchester United history when he scored the epic 93rd-minute winner in the Champions League final… against Bayern.
He retired from his playing days in 2007 before stepping into coaching, initially with the Red Devils academy before two successful stints at former club Molde either side of a dreary spell with Cardiff.
The Norwegian was given the United gig in 2018, initially as an interim boss to replace Jose Mourinho.
After a flying start, Solskjaer got the job on a permanent basis and proved a unifying presence at Old Trafford, guiding United to second in the Premier League in 2021/22.
However, things soon turned sour and he was sacked in November 2022 following a 4-1 loss to Watford, with the club having lost five of their opening 12 games.
The ex-striker has been out of work ever since.
But he revealed this month he is ready to return to management – and was open to working in a new country.
He said: “I’ve got at least one club job in me. It has to be an interesting one, somewhere, an adventure, somewhere, I can be myself.
“No disrespect, but after you’ve managed Manchester United for three years, it’s like, where do you go?
“I want to feel that pressure again. You know, when you see the games, you miss it.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's managerial career
RECORD
Molde – Nov 2010 to Jan 2014 – P 126, W 69, D 26, L 31, Win % 54.76
Cardiff City – Jan 2014 to Sep 2014 – P 30, W 9, D 5, L 16, Win % 30.00
Molde – Oct 2015 to Dec 2018 – P 118, W 66, D 19, L 33, Win % 55.93
Man Utd – Dec 2018 to Nov 2021 – P 168, W 91, D 37, L 40, Win % 54.17
Total – P 442, W 235, D 87, L 120, Win % 53.17
TROPHIES
Molde
- Tippeligaen: 2011, 2012
- Norwegian Football Cup: 2013
Man Utd
- UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2020–21
- Premier League Manager of the Month: Jan 2019
“I’ve had offers. Most recently, two from Saudi Arabia.
If you’ve managed Man Utd, you put your own criteria about what you want to work with. I love England and the Premier League.
“Even the Championship feels stronger than ever, but I don’t feel bound to England. Maybe a different challenge where I need to experience a new culture and learn a new language.”
Bayern suffered embarrassment earlier in the season when they were dumped out of the DFB-Pokal Cup by third-tier FC Saarbrucken.
Tuchel’s men flew through their Champions League group with five wins and a draw – including the double over United – to top their group.
But their form has fallen off a cliff in recent weeks, with a crushing defeat to Xabi Alonso’s surprise title challengers Bayer before the first-leg last-16 loss at Lazio.
Now the likes of Harry Kane, Eric Dier, Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane – all former Premier League stars – as well as Bayern heroes Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller and Joshua Kimmich are at risk of seeing their 2023 title-winning manager sacked.
And that could extraordinarily lead to the incredible temporary appointment of Solskjaer.
However, Jose Mourinho, Hansi Flick and Roberto De Zerbi are also among the early contenders to take over in the Bayern dugout should Tuchel go.