After being sacked by Manchester United on Sunday, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stated that he aims to have left the club in a better situation than when he arrived three years ago.
After the club’s administration retained faith with the 48-year-old in recent weeks despite humiliating home defeats to rivals Liverpool and Manchester City, a 4-1 hammering at the hands of lowly Watford saw the axe fall on Solskjaer’s job.
“This club means everything to me and together we’re a good match, but unfortunately I couldn’t get the results we needed and it’s time for me to step aside,” Solskjaer said in an interview with United’s in-house media.
“You know what this club means to me and what I wanted to achieve here. For the club, for the fans, for the players, for the staff. I wanted us to take the next step to challenge for the league, to win trophies.”
Solskjaer was appointed as interim manager in December 2018 due to his legendary position at the club after scored the game-winning goal in the 1999 Champions League final to seal a historic triple.
He was given the job on a permanent basis after winning 14 of his first 19 matches.
United finished in the Premier League top four in back-to-back seasons for the first time since Alex Ferguson retired as manager in 2013.
But trophy eluded Solskjaer, who lost four cup semi-finals and last season’s Europa League final to Villarreal in a protracted penalty shootout.
After signings of Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho, and Raphael Varane during the transfer window, expectations for a Premier League title push this season were high.
Manchester United, on the other hand, have lost five of their previous seven league games, falling 12 points behind leaders Chelsea.
“I want to thank the board and the owners for giving me the opportunity because it’s not for everyone and I’ve had the opportunity,” added Solskjaer.
“I’m so honoured and privileged to have been trusted to take the club forward, and I really hope that I leave it in a better state than when I came.
“I think there is potential in this club. We all love the club, and we all want to see it continue.”
Former Manchester United player Michael Carrick, who was on Solskjaer’s coaching staff, will be in charge of Tuesday’s critical Champions League match against Villarreal.
Solskjaer stated that he spoke with the players on Sunday morning in order to push them to perform better than they have in recent weeks in Spain.
