Ole Gunnar Solskjaer opting for career change

Manchester United’s heritage of nurturing internal talent and appointing former players to key roles has long been a cornerstone of the club’s identity.

The club has navigated the complex challenge of translating its storied past into modern success, reshaping structures and defining the roles of managers, coaches and directors.

With a sharper focus now on how to rebuild sustainably both on and off the pitch, United’s search for the right leaders has become a story in itself.

The choice of coach, of sporting director and of director of football has never been more critical as the club seeks to blend tradition with innovation.

Against this backdrop, one of United’s most-recognised former faces has revealed a new ambition.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has signalled his interest in taking up the role of Sporting Director or Director of Football one day.

The club’s former manager, who famously led United to the Treble in 1999 as a player and returned as head coach from 2018-21, told the podcast The Overlap, ‎“Yeah, definitely.

“I would love to have that Google Earth or overview and oversee the direction of a club.”*

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer emphasised that his ambition isn’t just about coaching or being in the dug-out, but about influencing strategy at the highest level.

Although his most recent stint as manager at Besiktas ended following a series of poor results, he remains open to contributing to United in a different capacity.

His desire to move into an executive position aligns with United’s recent trend of appointing directors with a deep understanding of the club’s culture.

He stressed that overseeing a club’s sporting project means combining football intelligence with long-term vision: one that governs recruitment, youth development, tactical identity and sustainability.

For United, a man who knows the club inside out, from dressing-room to board-room, could offer invaluable continuity.

While no offer has been made, Solskjaer’s interest has rekindled discussion about United’s next move in appointing those who steer the club’s direction beyond the pitch.