Never meant to work under Ole but United in a dilemma of not getting into another déjà vu

Manchester United hierarchy have finally accepted that to achieve success, you have to let go of the emotional attachments. A manager like Ole Solskjær was never worth being at the helm at such a club, maybe being a club legend was the only reason he was there to start with.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manager of Manchester United acknowledges the fans following the Premier League match between Watford and Manchester United at Vicarage Road on November 20, 2021 in Watford, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)

Never had anything on his CV to be deserving of such a seat, given the pedigree of the managers who had come and gone since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, the Norwegian could be the worst of them.

Of course it was in 2013 that the problem had started. Not only because of Fergie’s retirement but the fact that Manchester United had planned no successor and only choosed someone, David Moyes, based on the leaving manager's recommendation.

It was evidence that the current West Ham United boss’ time at the club was a failure and the pressure made the club went for Louis van Gaal, who was one of the big names in the job then, not minding whether he fits well into the plan they have for the club, both on the short and long run.

After two seasons which produced just one title, the Emirates FA Cup, he was relieved of his duties as his productiveness is no where near that of the fans of a club with huge appetite for success.

Still hunting for the same kind of success enjoyed under Sir Alex, the club brought in Jose Mourinho, one of the most decorated managers in the game who has proven to be a serial winner anywhere he has been.

Of course it was not all meant to be plain sailing for a team that had seen three different managers in the space of four years. The Portuguese won the Europa League and the Carabao Cup but he left the club in a typical Mourinho fashion.

And after over eight years since Alex Ferguson retirement, Manchester United are yet to get a coach to take them away from longing for the days of the Scott, which might not have been, had they took their time to look for the right candidate to succeed the most successful manager in the history of the game.

Sentimental and emotional is surely the basis for the appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjær, a manager who had managed and failed at Cardiff, while Molde had won the league titles in each of the seasons coming after the year he left them (twice).

In the later days of the Norwegian at Manchester United, the longer he lasted on the job, the more the team becomes less interesting. His final five games produced just one win and three loses, and it was obvious the club's hierarchy were patient enough with the former Cardiff boss.

Maybe they have learnt their lessons, and wanted to take the time to look for a worthy replacement before sanctioning the dismissal of the former club player, or they wanted to give him more chance to turn things round. However, the former would have been better for the club now that Solskjær is off the job.

His three years in charge produced no silverware despite the amount invested by Manchester United in that time. No premier league club spent more than Manchester United when Solskjær was at the helm and it disappointingly produce no title. He becomes the only manager appointed post Ferguson era not to win a trophy, despite staying longer than any of the previous ones.

They did reach the finals and semi finals of major tournaments but ended up disappointing in the crucial moments. And that sums up Ole Solskjær’s tenure at the club.

Where do United go from here ?

Appointing a replacement will be another huge problem if there is yet a candidate before Ole’s dismissal. Do you get a manager because of their interesting resume ? United have tried and failed doing that in the past with the likes of Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal. Not that this manager’s are not tactically good but it is difficult building when the manager will likely not stay more than a couple of years.

It took time for Jurgen Klopp to get going at Liverpool for instance and now they are one of the best teams in the world. Not only for the titles they have won but in the way they play. The excitement in their play had restored the belief of their fans, even before they won their first trophy under the German.

This is why getting a manager like Zinedine Zidane, whom many favours to land the job is like putting yourself up for another déjà vu. The Frenchman has obviously enjoyed successful spells with Real Madrid but at the same time, it takes just the slightest of tactic to succeed at a club like Madrid in that time.

Locally, Barcelona were a team on the decline due to the departure of the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Dani Alves and so on. Moreso, the managerial crisis at the club did help matters for the former Juventus player. A case, which is not the same in the Premier League

In Europe, many a times, his sides were bailed out by individual brilliance of players, when they have been very disappointing in games and had to make comebacks, and he got so lucky that even the unpredictable comebacks happened with the brilliance of his players.

Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro are world class players, but Real Madrid were not so imposing in games, however they did manage to grind out results. Not taking anytime away from Zidane, but that does not make him the best tactician.

United need a manager that will give an identity to their play. With the level of players in the ranks, their season might not yet be defined by the current situation they are in. However, getting one in due time will be more of a relief.

In the same instance, making a wrong decision at this crucial stage will mean the next couple of years will be wasted, and they will be back to the same spot at the end. However, the quality players will not be here forever, while competitions is also getting tense in the top-flight.

United just have to get it right now. They just have to.

Afolabi Kehinde Hassan