November 21, (THEWILL) – At an emergency meeting on Saturday night, Manchester United’s board of directors resolved to fire Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Joel Glazer, the co-chairman who oversees the American family’s ownership, has agreed to sign off on the decision.
After the team’s humiliating 4-1 loss at Watford, a meeting was convened that lasted several hours.
The plan is for a statement that avoids using the term “sacking” and instead refers to a mutual accord. Following the board’s deliberations, compensation and other finishing touches were handled.
Solskjaer confessed that his players had been “outfought” by Watford and had let the fans down after a fourth defeat in five Premier League games, but claimed he could turn their fortunes around. However, the board has disagreed and decided to make a move.
When Solskjaer’s resignation is announced, the club’s first-team coach, Michael Carrick, and technical director, Darren Fletcher – both accomplished former United players – are expected to take over as interim managers.
Despite the 5-0 humiliation against Liverpool, Glazer endorsed Solskjaer late last month after the executive vice-chairman, Ed Woodward, and managing director, Richard Arnold, joined Sir Alex Ferguson in endorsing the manager.
After the recent defeat, the board of directors decided there was no way back for Solskjaer and decided to act before Tuesday’s Champions League match against Villarreal.
United had responded by beating Tottenham 3-0, but have since scrambled a late draw at Atalanta in the Champions League and been thrashed by Manchester City and a struggling Watford, whose only previous home league victory came against Aston Villa on the opening day.
United have now conceded 15 goals in their last five league games.
De Gea, who saved a twice-taken penalty from Ismaïla Sarr early on, could not hide his disappointment. “It was embarrassing, the way we played today,” he said. “The first half was very poor, it’s not acceptable for this club and the level of players that we have. It’s another nightmare. There’s been some difficulties but I don’t really know what to say.
“I have been in difficult moments with this club but we are in a difficult situation. We don’t know what to do with the ball, we are conceding a lot of goals. It’s a horrible moment.”
After finishing second last season, United added Jadon Sancho, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Raphael Varane, and Solskjaer was given a contract extension until 2024, with an option for another year. He leaves the team in seventh place, six points behind the Champions League berths.
The board has taken the mandate of accelerating the negotiations to replace the Norwegian with Real Madrid icon and former manager Zinedine Zidane.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
