Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has expressed his pride at being Manchester United manager in a farewell interview with the club who sacked him today.
The Norwegian was shown the door after the 4-1 defeat at Watford which followed home embarrassments against Manchester United and Liverpool, and with United seventh in the Premier League, the Glazers have acted.
Solskjaer is believed to have asked to do the interview to say goodbye to the club's supporters, and United agreed.
An emotional Solskjaer told the club that results ultimately weren't good enough.
“You know what this club means to me and what I wanted to achieve here. For the club, for the fans, for the players, for the staff. I wanted us to take the next step to challenge for the league, to win trophies and I only think it’s right that it comes from the horse’s mouth. I don’t want to answer all… there’s going to be journalists asking me about interviews but no, I’m not going to do any interviews. I want to get it out there, I’m going to leave by the front door, because I think everyone knows I’ve given everything for this club. This club means everything to me and together we’re a good match, but unfortunately I couldn’t get the results we needed and it’s time for me to step aside.”
The 1999 Champions League hero brought Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Varane and Jadon Sancho to Old Trafford in the close season and Solskjaer says he did receive the support of the club's hierarchy.
“Well, as I’ve said many times in interviews, I’ve been backed. The board and the owners have backed me in [terms of] bringing good people in, good players in and I think, or I know, I leave this club with a better squad. The environment is fantastic, it’s an environment I’m proud of leaving because you have to enjoy coming in here working. I don’t want to pre-empt anything but the two times I’ve left Molde, they’ve won the league the year after, so all the best to whoever takes over – that’s the expectation!”
United. Always.
🔴⚪⚫#MUFC pic.twitter.com/H57iPf0KuZ— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 21, 2021
And when asked in the interview if he had a message for the players upon his departure, Solskjaer become emotional.
“As I’ve said to them this morning as well, trust yourselves, you know we’re better than this. We’ve not been able to show it but go out, chest out, enjoy being a Man United player, in the Champions League, on the biggest stage. If and when you win the game, you’re through to the next round, Michael [Carrick] is going to be in charge. Michael, I have the utmost respect [for], I love Michael to bits. I’m becoming emotional now because he’s top. They’ll be fine. I’ll watch them and support them.”
