His arrival lifted the club from the doldrums, results perked up and a remarkable Champions League comeback to knock out Paris Saint-Germain was followed by a clamour to give the Norwegian the job permanently.
The team stagnated under a manager whose erstwhile dynamism deserted him in the north-west and Solskjaer was considered a canny interim replacement. United turned to their former striker Solskjaer last December after Mourinho's reign ended in deep disappointment. Here is a look at how United and Chelsea have reached this point, and in what direction they might be headed.
The opening-weekend meeting of the teams at Old Trafford will provide an early indication of how both are shaping up after challenging close seasons. It means that Sunday's Premier League match between the teams will see two of the most powerful clubs in England led from pitchside by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Frank Lampard.īoth have enormous goodwill behind them after stellar playing careers with their respective sides, but they must achieve results as managers this term to maintain such bonhomie. United begin their pre-season preparations next month with a trip to Australia, where they face A-League outfit Perth Glory and old rivals Leeds United at Optus Stadium.Manchester United and Chelsea began last season with Jose Mourinho and Maurizio Sarri as their touchline leaders, but the Premier League giants have traded a weight of experience for conspicuously risky appointments.
Saha, who won played for the club between 20, was a three-time Premier League winner during his tenure, as well as a Champions League victor in 2008. It’s been painful the last few years, but I’m certain Ole and his staff at the club will provide a really good base.” “United have the back up of having the fans who will always be there so it’s a case of working hard - going back to basics. “The element of surprise is gone, because you think, ‘Well, we’re expected to do this’. “I fully believe they will come back, but you need to understand that in football you might copy it, but it will never be the same," he was quoted in the Mirror. Now, with a significant rebuild job on the cards throughout the off-season, former France international Saha says he believes that their current manager can help reverse fortunes – but that dreams of another halcyon period a la the Ferguson era is a thing of the past for good. Though all three managers between Ferguson and Solskjaer – David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Mourinho – lifted silverware during their spells in charge, both the Premier League and major European glory has eluded them. However, the Norwegian was unable to prevent another late season slump and the club will be forced to contend in the Europa League in their next campaign after missing out on the top four.
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