Ferguson warns Solskjaer against a swift return to England
-
Man United legend Solskjaer guides Molde to first ever league title
Maiden title: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer led Molde to the league title
Former Manchester United striker and coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer managed Molde to the Norwegian league title for the first time in their 100-year history on Sunday night.
A drew 2-2 with Stromsgodset coupled with Rosenborg's home defeat to Brann, put Solksjaer's side seven points clear with just two games remaining.
Molde looked like securing the title with a victory over Stromsgodset until a last-minute equaliser from Anders Agnes Konradsen postponed the party at the Aker stadium.
Rosenborg kicked off against Brann knowing they needed a victory to keep their slim hopes alive, but they looked nothing like title contenders as they conceded three goals in the first 20 minutes on the way to a 6-3 defeat.
Founded in 1911, Molde had finished runners-up in the Tippeligaen on seven occasions but it took the return of the talismanic Solskjaer to deliver the title the club had craved.
Despite scoring 33 goals in 42 matches for Molde before moving on to a glittering career at Manchester United, Solskjaer had never won a major trophy in his native country.
He took over as manager at Molde in January 2011 following a successful stint as reserve team coach at United but suffered a rocky start on his return to Norway.
Legend: Solskjaer celebrates scoring the winning goal in the 1999 Champions League final
Molde lost his first league game to promoted Sarpsborg 08, before draws against Tromso and Viking left his side with just two points from a possible nine.
Solskjaer, famed for his ability to come off the bench and change a game as he did when he scored in stoppage time to secure United's dramatic Champions League final victory over Bayern Munich in 1999, turned the team's fortunes around.
Victory at rivals Tromso on October 2 put Molde in pole position in the title race and draws against Odd Grenland, Stabaek and Stromsgodset secured the trophy.
-
Good achievement for the Ex-Devil....
-
time for Old Fark Fergie to stand down...........
-
20legend
-
give him 5 yrs more... then come back man utd when SAF retire......then win another 20 championship........ then he will become 20legend x 2
-
Don't jump the Gun! Ferguson warns Solskjaer against a swift return to England
Watch it: Ferguson is warning Solskjaer not to rush over to England and coach
Sir Alex Ferguson has warned Ole Gunnar Solskjaer against heading straight back to England so soon after his Norwegian title success with Molde.
Ferguson always felt Solskjaer was the most likely of his long-serving members of his Manchester United squad to become a coach.
The long-serving United boss offered Solskjaer the opportunity to coach the reserve side at Old Trafford when he retired from the game in 2008.
After a two-year apprenticeship Solskjaer returned to his former club Molde in December, triggering an instant reversal in fortunes to a team that finished last season in 11th spot.
At the weekend, he was confirmed as a league champion, the 38-year-old clinching Molde's first title in their 100-year history.
The achievement brought an immediate link to the present vacancy at Championship outfit Portsmouth, and a more obvious suggestion he could eventually replace Ferguson at United.
The main man: Solskjaer has already had success as manager guiding Molde to their first ever league title in 100-years
However, the Scot believes a man who will forever have a place in Red Devils' folklore due to his injury-time winner in the 1999 Champions League final, should enjoy his time at home before opting to make a return to England.
'It is possible (he could return as boss in England),' said Ferguson. 'It just depends when.
'I don't think he should rush into it because experience is good and the experience he has got at Molde is a very good one.
'He comes from the area. His wife and family are all back home there.
'He has won the championship and there is no need to hurry.
'The time will come and the timing will be important but he is easily capable of coming into English football.'
Ahead of his own side's Champions League encounter with Otelul Galati at Old Trafford on Wednesday, Ferguson recalled how Solskjaer made such a positive impression during his own 366-game career at United, which yielded 125 goals in addition to the one he is most famous for.
'My knowledge of Ole as a student of the game is quite clear; every game he played and every training session he took part in he always wrote it all down,' said Ferguson.
'That tells you his dedication to learn the game and also his attention to meticulous detail.
'That gives him a great start because you need dedication and sacrifice to go into management these days.
'He was a great player and a very nice person. Players will respond to him.'
Ferguson revealed he jumped the gun with his congratulations, texting Solskjaer prior to the 2-2 draw with Stromsgodset on Sunday that secured Molde a place in next season's Champions League.
'All the players have been in touch. I texted him on Saturday thinking he had won the league but he was playing on Sunday.
'It is a great achievement considering this is his first year.
'He had a great spell with our reserve team so he wasn't coming into the job blind but it is fantastic news.'
Glory goals: Solskjaer scored 125 goals for United including the winning goal in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich
Testimonial: Ferguson congratulates Solskjaer for his service to United
-
Congratz Him
he the one that is after giggs
purely legend to mi