Manchester United looking for another manager after parted company with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer over the weekend after an embarrassing 4-1 defeat in Watford signaled the end for the Norwegians.
After nearly three years in charge of the club he represents with excellence as a player, emotions are understandably high when Solskjaer leaves.
“I am honored and privileged to be trusted to move the club forward, and I really hope that I leave it in better shape than it was when I arrived.” he said in a tearful interview aired on United’s internal TV channel.
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said goodbye to the Manchester United fans after leaving his job as manager.
Solskjaer is United’s fourth permanent manager position since the end of Sir Alex Ferguson’s era. The Scot has proven an act of cunning then since retiring at the end of the 2012-13 season and he remains a formidable presence at Old Trafford – especially since the stand bears his name. that.
Indeed, none of his successors have lived up to the heavy expectations placed on United management in the modern era, with David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho all failing – some far better than others.
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But how do post-Ferguson United managers rank relative to the legendary manager and to each other? For context, here’s what they’re being measured against:
Sir Alex Ferguson (November 1986 to May 2013)
Appointed manager of Manchester United in 1986, Ferguson had a rough start in his career to become the club’s all-time greatest manager, even eventually surpassing away from the great Sir Matt Busby by delivering two decades of near-unbroken success.
The game is curated in all competitions: 1.301
Overall note: Win 798 / Draw 274 / Lose 229 (win rate: 61.34%)
Goals scored/conceded: 2.498 / 1.215
Major titles won: Premier League (13), FA Cup (5), League Cup (4), FA Charity Shield / Community Shield (10), Champions League (2), European Cup Winners’ Cup (1), European Super Cup (1) , Intercontinental Cup (1), Club World Cup (1)
Finish the top league: 1st place in the Premier League, with 13 times.
Lowest tournament finish: 13 in the first division (1989-90)
Best signing: There’s so much to talk about – Peter Schmeichel (£500,000 from Brondby, Eric Cantona (£1.2m from Leeds), Roy Keane (£3.7m from Nottingham Forest), Andy Cole (£7m from Newcastle) ), Cristiano Ronaldo (£12m from Sporting Lisbon), Wayne Rooney (£25m from ) Everton) Et cetera.
Worst signing: Bebe (£7.4 million words Guimaraes)
High score: Without a doubt, they won a historic tournament, cup and European treble in 1999, including some of the most impressive late finishes of the game.
Bad score: In January 1990, many disgruntled United fans called for Ferguson’s sacking as United began a new decade in hopeless form; recently beat 5-1 in the Manchester derby, winning six games and sitting just two points above the relegation zone of the First Division.
A notorious banner appeared on Stretford End calling for the Scotsman to be deported and punished for overseeing “three years of defense” amid widespread reports that another defeat to Nottingham Forest in the first round. three FA Cups would be his last.
Thankfully, a fated header from Mark Robins at the City Ground was enough to claim victory for United, who duly lifted the FA Cup a few months later by beating Crystal Palace in a reenacted final – the first, but certainly not the last, title in Fergie’s infamous reign.
And now for his successors, in reverse order:
4. David Moyes (July 2013 to April 2014)
David Moyes lifted his first trophy for United and said: “If he’s watching at home – this is for you, Sir Alex.” #mufc pic.twitter.com/w8Ew6f7QiN
– Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 11, 2013
Hunted by Ferguson to take power from him, three-time LMA head coach of the year Moyes built a good reputation at Everton and was awarded a six-year contract by United. However, things quickly turned sour and his disappointing reign at Old Trafford lasted less than 10 months.
Game: 51
Overall note: W 26 / D 10 / L 15 (win rate: 50.98%)
Goals scored/conceded: 87/56
Honors won: FA Community Shield (1)
Finish the top league: N / A
Lowest tournament finish: N/A (fired with the team in game 7 and remaining 4 games of the season)
Best signing: Juan Mata (£40 million words Chelsea)
Worst signing: Marouane Fellaini (£29m from Everton)
High score: Finished the Champions League group stage, then beat Olympiakos in the round of 16 despite losing the first leg (thanks to Robin van Persie’s hat-trick). United were eliminated by Bayern Munich into the quarterfinals.
Bad score: Could be knocked out of the FA Cup by Swansea City at the first hurdle in January 2014, or could lose 3-0 at home first Liverpool Two months later, United fans were furious when publicly admitting that the Red Devils were the “target” to win before the game.
3. Louis van Gaal (July 2014 to May 2016)
Welcome to Manchester, Louis van Gaal. #mufc pic.twitter.com/g6ZeyQtESM
– Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 16, 2014
One of the greatest Dutch managers of all time, Van Gaal succeeded in arresting the slump at United and tightening the defence. Although famous for his attractive and charismatic personality, Van Gaal’s overly cautious approach soon let his fans down.
Game: 103 Overall Achievement: W 54 / D 24 / L 25 (win rate: 52.43%)
Goals scored/conceded: 159/101 trophies won: FA Cup (1)
Finish the top league: 4th place (2014-15) Lowest tournament finish: 5th place (2015-16)
Best signing: Anthony Martial (£54m from Monaco)/Luke Shaw (£27 million words Southampton)
Worst signing: Angel Di Maria (£67.5 million words Real Madrid)
Highlights: Win the 2016 FA Cup final by beating Crystal Palace in extra time at Wembley
Bad score: Sacked just two days after winning the 2016 FA Cup final beating Crystal Palace in extra time at Wembley.
2. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (December 2018 to November 2021)
✍️ How long do you want your contract to be?
💷 How much do you want your salary to be?
🗿 Where would you like your statue to be?@ GNev2 big question for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer!https://t.co/0OKMYBJ8Ca#beINUCL #UCL #MUFC #PSGMUN pic.twitter.com/drUsFRfbao– beIN SPORT (@beINSPORTS_EN) March 6, 2019
There can be no doubt that Solskjaer leaves United in much better shape than he inherited, at least restoring some of the goodwill that seemed lost under previous managers. this. He’s gone without a trophy to his name but there have been enough sporadic great moments during his tenure to ensure he can go with his head held high.
Game: 168
Overall note: W 92 / D 35 / L 41 (win rate: 54.76%)
Goals scored/conceded: 323/198
Honors won: N / A
Finish the top league: Monday (2020-21)
Lowest tournament finish: Day 6 (2018-19)
Best signing: Bruno Fernandes (£56m from Sporting), Cristiano Ronaldo (£12m from ) Juventus)
Worst signing: Donny van der Beek (£35m from Ajax)
High score: Solskjaer can be proud of reaching the Europa League final for the 2020-21 season, improving United’s league positions and team atmosphere and starting an impressive unbeaten streak. However, it is the special night in Paris that will last the longest in the memory of most fans. Arguably the result left Solskjaer on a full-time job, United battled back 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Paris Saint-Germain won 3-1 at the Parc des Princes, thanks to a 94th-minute penalty from Marcus Rashfordand scored on the away field.
Bad score: The recent humiliating 5-0 loss to Liverpool at Old Trafford marked the end of Solskjaer’s rollercoaster run.
1. Jose Mourinho (May 2016 to December 2018)
Twelve months, three titles
Jose Mourinho has been appointed #MUFC managed a year ago today. pic.twitter.com/zzAR6kdc5t
– Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 27, 2017
Manchester United’s most successful manager post-Fergie, at least Mourinho took home silver trophies even if it wasn’t any of the game’s biggest prizes. We shouldn’t deny the fact that the atmosphere around Old Trafford was turning toxic in the months leading up to his unfortunate departure, when Solskjaer arrived to pick up the pieces, but as it unfolded. in black and white it’s hard to argue with his claim to be the best of the post-Fergie group.
Game: 144 Overall Achievement: W 84 / D 31 / L 29 (win rate: 58.33%)
Goals scored/conceded: 251/129
Honors won: League Cup (1), FA Community Shield (1), Europa League (1)
Finish the top league: Monday (2017-18)
Lowest tournament finish: Friday (2016-17)
Best signing: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (free from Paris Saint-Germain)
Worst signing: Alexis Sanchez (30 million pounds from Arsenal)
High score: Reuniting with Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the treble (just not NS ) in his first season in charge of United, culminating in a victory over Ajax in the Europa League final.
Bad score: Ended the 2017-18 season without a title after finishing second in the league, losing to former club Chelsea 1–0 in the FA Cup final and being knocked out of the Champions League by Seville in round 16.
