- Solskjaer’s chances of taking over a national team spot dropped this week
- The Norwegian reportedly held talks about the managerial vacancy in January
- Which Premier League teams will be relegated this season? Listen to the everything is beginning podcast
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reportedly turned down the opportunity to return to management in January despite holding talks over a vacant role.
The former Manchester United manager has not taken charge of any team since being sacked by the Red Devils in 2021, although he has said on several occasions that he is keen to re-enter the industry.
He had managed teams such as Cardiff and Molde before becoming United manager, and took over permanently when Jose Mourinho left, three years before his departure.
Solskjaer became the favorite to be named as the Republic of Ireland’s next spot on Friday after bookmakers slashed his odds from 80-1.
According the athletic, The Norwegian confirmed that he had brief conversations about the vacancy in January.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reportedly decided the Republic of Ireland job was ‘not right for him’
The former Red Devils manager has not managed a team since leaving his former club in 2021.
Solskjaer has reportedly decided the role would not be right for him, with the 51-year-old claiming he has “no idea” where the latest reports come from.
The Football Association of Ireland is expected to announce the new coach next week.
A search has been underway since the departure of Stephen Kenny last November at the end of his contract.
Kenny’s contract was not renewed after the Republic of Ireland failed to qualify for Euro 2024.
Solskjaer is one of several former Man United players who have been linked with the vacancy, with the Republic of Ireland still seeking to confirm their new manager.
The Norwegian remains among the contenders in several betting houses, with Paddy Power listing the former striker as second favorite at 10/3.
Former Man United defender John O’Shea is now the favorite at 13/8, having served as caretaker manager for the last few internationals.
They are followed by Roy Keane and Steve Bruce at 11/2 and 17/2 respectively, while Bayern Munich coach Anthony Barry is fifth favorite at 14/1.
The Republic of Ireland are looking for a new manager since the departure of Stephen Kenny
Former Man United defender John O’Shea served as interim coach of the men’s team.
Roy Keane, for his part, has expressed his desire to return to training at an international level
Keane had recently spoken to Stick to Football about his attraction to international football and how he liked being a coach of a team at that level and not a club.
“I enjoyed international football when I was a coach,” said the former midfielder. “I liked the dynamic in which you are not there every day and it is not about bringing in players and dealing with the board of directors or the academy every week. Yes, that does attract me.
“I enjoyed the dynamic when I trained with Martin [O’Neill] with the Irish team. We had a bit of success and when you’ve had a bit of success it’s brilliant, but obviously there are disappointments. So yes, that could be an option.”
Although he has not coached since leaving Ipswich in 2011, Keane, Solskjaer’s former captain, was O’Neill’s assistant and a key part of his coaching structure between 2013 and 2018.
The Republic of Ireland last participated in a major men’s tournament under O’Neill after reaching Euro 2016, before missing the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia after a play-off loss to Denmark.
