Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the former Manchester United manager, has reportedly turned down an opportunity to return to his former club Molde.
The 51-year-old has been out of managerial work since leaving Old Trafford in November 2021, after a 168-match tenure that failed to deliver any silverware.
Solskjaer initially rose to prominence as a manager at Molde, leading the Norwegian side to back-to-back Tippeligaen titles in 2011 and 2012.
He returned for a second stint with the club from 2015 to 2018 before departing to take the reins at Manchester United.
Despite his historic ties, reports from Norway’s VG indicate that Solskjaer declined Molde chairman Leif-Arne Langøy’s recent attempt to bring him back following the sacking of manager Erling Moe.
The former striker also has deep roots as a player at Molde, where he scored 41 goals in 54 appearances before joining Manchester United in 1996.
However, Solskjaer appears more inclined toward international management, hinting at his interest in taking over the Norway national team whenever current manager Ståle Solbakken steps down.
“I am a proud Norwegian, and of course, if the question arises when Ståle decides to give up, I will happily engage in discussions,” Solskjaer said at the Oslo Business Forum in September.
In October, Solskjaer reportedly declined an offer to manage the Denmark national team, underscoring his preference for roles that align with his personal and professional priorities.
Speaking on the Bakrommetpodcast, he elaborated on his criteria for future roles:
“It must be something exciting enough, together with the right people. But I feel so well now that there must be something that triggers me enough for me to choose to travel from Nordmøre. A national team could suit me, but it can’t be on the other side of the globe. I had two options, but the travel time and time differences made me opt out.”
As Solskjaer evaluates his next move, it is clear that he values proximity to home and a compelling challenge.
For now, he remains on the sidelines, patiently waiting for the right opportunity to reignite his managerial career.