Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s inner circle – footballer wife and trusted Man Utd allies
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been tipped with a return to Manchester United in light of Ruben Amorim’s sacking
Former Manchester United striker and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is one of the favourites to take over at Old Trafford. The club have been on the hunt for a new manager after sacking Ruben Amorim last week.
Darren Fletcher took charge of Wednesday’s draw at Burnley, but it’s increasingly likely that Solskjaer will make his return to the Old Trafford dugout.
With the Norwegian widely expected to make a comeback, Mirror Football takes a closer look at this ex-striker’s inner circle and just who he could seek support from should he take the United job once again.
Wife
Solskjaer has been with his wife Silje since 1992. Silje was a professional footballer in her own right and the couple even trained together in Norway. Solskjaer has spoken about his relationship on several occasions.
He once said: “Silje was a very good football player. We often trained together when we were younger. Back in Clausenengen, we had a kids’ football training group in the morning that I really was too old to go.”
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The couple have been rock-solid for decades and were only briefly apart during Solskjaer’s military service. They quickly reunited and married in Florida in 2004.
Upon being relieved of his duties at United in November 2021, the ex-forward revealed how paramount his relationship with Sije, and his three children, was as he navigated being away from them during the Covid-19 pandemic while in charge of United.
“I’ll spend some time with my family,” he said. “That’s been probably the most difficult part, through the pandemic. With Norway being open and here being closed, my family moved back to Norway. And the young one, he loves it back there, so we’ve lived apart. So, I’ll spend some time with them.”
Children
Ole and Silje had their first child, Noah, in June 2000. Three years later they welcomed daughter Karna, while youngest son Elijah was born in 2008. All three children have followed their parents into the beautiful game.
Noah began his football career in the Clausenengen youth teams. The striker, now 25, plies his trade for Stjørdals-Blink in Norway.
Karna, now 22, plays as a forward for AaFK Fortuna. Elijah had also made in-roads with a football career, beginning his journey in United’s academy.
Michael Carrick
Carrick has also been linked with a return to United since Amorim’s sacking, perhaps linking up with Solskjaer in tandem. The former midfielder called time on his playing career at the end of the 2017/18 season and went on to work with Jose Mourinho at United before being retained by Solskjaer.
Carrick revealed that he was a pillar of help for Solskjaer during their time as a management team. Speaking on his duties, he said: “I support the manager basically.
“I get in about 8.15am to help plan the session for that day and plan ahead for the next game. Whatever the manager needs I’m there to support him.” The former Middlesbrough boss’ experience could now make him a port of call once again for Solskjaer.
Sir Alex Ferguson
Sir Alex may have quit United as manager in 2013 but he still casts a looming shadow over all things United to this day. Having brought Solskjaer to the club, Sir Alex will no doubt be a support option for the man once known as the ‘Baby Faced Assassin’.
The legendary United boss even once praised Solskjaer’s knack for bringing youth players into the first team, one of Ferguson’s prime assets during his time in the dugout.
In early 2021, Ferguson told the BBC: “If you don’t get results, there’s questions to be asked. He is getting the results, he really has done very well.
“And what is really important for this club is to introduce young people, and he’s given young players a chance. The young guys, if they are good enough, play them. Never a problem at this club.”
Mike Phelan
Phelan left United in 2022 and was last employed as Plymouth Argyle’s assistant boss. Phelan joined Solskjaer as his No. 2 during the latter’s first spell as United manager.
The 63-year-old was singled out for praise by Solskjaer, highlighting just how vital Sir Alex’s former assistant was to the Norwegian. Phelan will no doubt be a confidant should Solskjaer need it, if he does indeed return to United.
“Mick’s absolutely brilliant,” Solskjaer said in 2019. “With his experience, his knowledge and personality around the place. Not just for the players and coaches, but the rest of the staff as well. Mick’s tough but he’s kind. He’s got everything I would want in an assistant.”
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