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Sources explain why Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was at Wolves as Ipswich loss leaves Gary O’Neil on brink
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer watched Wolves’ 2-1 defeat to Premier League relegation rivals Ipswich Town on Saturday but it is understood that he is not set to take over at Molineux as things stand.
- Exclusive from Graeme Bailey
Considering that Gary O’Neil was a man under serious pressure even before his Wolverhampton Wanderers side stumbled even deeper into the mire at home to Ipswich, the sight of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on the Molineux terraces was always going to set tongues wagging.
The Wolves bosses opted to stick with O’Neil despite Monday’s 2-1 loss at West Ham United. That Tractor Boys reverse may yet prove to be one defeat too many, however.
Wolves will be only one point clear of Southampton at the bottom if Russell Martin can mastermind a victory over Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. Ipswich, meanwhile, leapfrogged their hosts thanks to Jack Taylor’s dramatic 94th minute winner in the Black Country.
Molineux hierarchy are reportedly to have spoken with the likes of Rob Edwards and Graham Potter in recent weeks. TBR can confirm that former West Ham boss David Moyes is an option for Wolves too.
But, while O’Neil hangs by a thread, there is little at this stage to suggest that Solskjaer is set for a return to a Premier League dugout for the first time since his emotional departure from Manchester United back in 2021.
Why Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was at Wolves vs Ipswich Town
Sources close to the legendary Norwegian have told TBR that Solskjaer was in Wolverhampton to catch up with Kieran McKenna.
The Ipswich boss formed part of Solskjaer’s backroom staff at Old Trafford, alongside now-Middlesbrough coach Michael Carrick, and the pair remain close to this day.
Yet, such an explanation is unlikely to stop the speculation over O’Neil’s future from swelling. Wolves have just nine points to show for their efforts in 2024/25, after all.
After appearing to turn their season around with successive wins over Southampton and Fulham, O’Neil’s beleaguered team are now in a run of four straight defeats. Conceding four apiece against Bournemouth and even goal-shy Everton, Taylor’s stoppage time heroics means Wolves have now been breached a staggering 40 times in just 15 Premier League matches.
Former Manchester United boss rejected Saudi Arabia offers
Solskjaer may have come in for plenty of criticism during his time in the Man United hotseat but, in hindsight, the 1999 Champions League winner probably deserves a lot more recognition than he got at the time.
Solskjaer’s domestic results were far more impressive than those of successor Erik ten Hag, for instance, while only a penalty shoot-out defeat to Villarreal denied him the Europa League trophy.
Speaking earlier this year, the 51-year-old admitted that he had turned down a number of opportunities to return to management with two clubs in Saudi Arabia among those snubbed.
“It’s got to be somewhere I can be myself. Not like anyone dictating; ‘you need to do this, you need to do that’,” Solskjaer explained. “Because, when you have been at United and managed them, you learn a few things and you want to do it your way the next time.”
“I love England and the Premier League. Even the Championship feels stronger than ever, but I don’t feel bound to England. Maybe [I need] a different challenge where I need to experience a new culture and learn a new language.
“The DNA and identity of the club are important. A club where I can be the best me. It has to be a match.
“What I miss most is working with good people, coming in every day, discussing football and putting a plan together for the next game. It’s not just about formations, but creating a culture where the staff enjoy their job and building a team together.”