Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
HOW FERGIE GAVE OLE RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
WHEN Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was parachuted into the Manchester United hot-seat, he knew stability and a re-setting of the compass was required.
Sir Alex Ferguson had been at United for 26 years, bringing unparalleled success, but when he retired a revolving door of bosses followed, with three managers in six years: David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho.
Solskjaer, a legend at the club and a hero of the 1999 treble-winning team, quickly assessed the situation he had inherited.
“It was a bit like going to Waitrose or Tesco. You spend 90 quid or 100 quid. Then you get home and try to make a meal but you’ve just got a bit of everything instead of what you need to make a good meal,” said the Norwegian (right).
“When I arrived, some of the players had been here since Sir Alex’s time here. Then David (Moyes) signed a few, then Van Gaal signed
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has revealed the assistance Sir Alex Ferguson gave him during his early days as manager in a new book called The First 100 Days: Lessons In Leadership From The Football Bosses. The a few, then Mourinho who would be part of this signed a few, turnaround for the short, and they’ve all got medium and long-term. different styles.” On December 21, 2018,
The meal that United travelled to their Solskjaer and his right-hand team hotel near Cardiff in man Mick Phelan wanted preparation for their first to cook did not have the game under the stewardship necessary ingredients. of Solskjaer, who was to get
That is not to say the the gig on a more permanent previous chefs were at fault basis three months later.
– but Solskjaer recognised He said: “I got a text from that, to achieve the blend he the manager (Sir Alex) who desired on the pitch, he said: ‘Pick your team and needed to make changes.
The Old Trafford gaffer, appointed caretaker boss in December 2018, said: “Our group had so many different strengths but not many were what we would think of as Manchester United players.
“These are players who have pace, power and personality. We’re influenced by Sir Alex and that’s what our opinion of a Manchester United player is.” Solskjaer and Phelan quickly set about assessing book — co-written by Dundee United manager Micky Mellon and school head teacher Phil Denton — explores how the first 100 days are for a manager at a new club. Adapted by CHRIS MCKENNA sleep well.’ I sent him the players I was picking and I got a message back saying: ‘That’ll do the job’.”
The very next day, it took only three minutes for a new-look United to race into a 1-0 lead against Cardiff.
Solskjaer said: “Marcus (Rashford) crashed that freekick home in three minutes and the whole thing felt like it had changed. We just went
4-3-3 and told the players to be free and express themselves.” Eventually, United would run out 5-1 winners away from home.
It was a sensational start that showed a belief from the players and a joy that their new manager had a faith in them and a love for the club that they could now represent as a team.
The ovation from the crowd showed that United’s huge away following emphatically approved of their new manager – and so did Solskjaer’s mentor and footballing father.
A text from Sir Alex arrived the following day. It said: “I’ve been out all night celebrating getting my club back.”
The First 100 Days: Lessons In Leadership From The Football Bosses by Micky Mellon and Phil Denton, published by Reach Sport, is on sale now. Save 25 per cent from: https:// reachsportshop.com/books/