Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said it’s time to “step aside” after Manchester United announced his resignation from management.
Solskjr lost my manager job on Sunday after Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at Watford. Manchester United are on a five-game losing streak in seven league games and are six points off qualifying Champions League.
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Pressure on the manager increased after a humiliating 5-0 loss at the hands of Liverpool followed by a 0-2 one-way defeat first City of Manchester.
“This club means a lot to me and together we are a good game, but unfortunately I couldn’t get the results we needed and it’s time for me to put it aside.” Solskjaer told MUTV.
“You know how much this club means to me and what I want to achieve here. To the club, to the fans, to the players, to the staff. I want us to take the next step to challenge for the tournament, to win titles and I just think it’s right to come out of the horse’s mouth. about interviews but no, I won’t be interviewing at all.
“I want to get it out there, I’ll leave by the front door, because I think everyone knows I’ve given everything for this club.”
Solskjaer initially joined United on an interim basis in December 2018 when the club sacked Jose Mourinho. He was then appointed as permanent manager in March 2019 and signed a contract extension in July this year. But after the results went down, his departure was announced following an emergency board meeting on Saturday night.
“I want to thank the board and owners for giving me the opportunity because it is not for everyone and I took the opportunity,” he said.
“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.”
Pressure mounts on Solskjaer to deliver a title challenge this season following the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane. But the Norwegian departs with the club still awaiting his first trophy since Mourinho lifted the Europa League trophy in 2017.
“Well, as I’ve said many times in interviews, I’ve been backed up,” he said. “The board of directors and owners have supported me [terms of] put good people, good players in and I think, or I know I leave this club with a better squad. The environment is amazing, it’s an environment that I’m proud to leave because you have to enjoy coming here to work. “
Michael Carrick, who formed Solskjaer’s defenders at Old Trafford, has been named caretaker manager while the club look for an interim manager to take them through to the end of the season.
Carrick’s first match in charge was against Villarreal in a crucial Champions League clash on Tuesday.
Solskjaer added: “As I told them this morning, believe in yourself, you know us better than this. We haven’t been able to show it but let’s go out, try, take advantage. Enjoy being a player of Man United Champions League, the biggest stage.
“If and when you win the game, you make it to the next round, Michael [Carrick] will be in charge. Michael, I have the highest respect [for], I love Michael to every bit. Now I’m getting emotional because he’s top, they’ll be fine. I will watch them and support them. “
