Humble, articulate manager will attract big-name players

OLE GUNNAR Solskjaer has shown himself to be much more than just a nice guy who puts smiles on players’ faces and an arm around their shoulder. He has been tactically astute and has turned Manchester United around while being humble, honest and ambitious. He deserved the job. One question now being asked is whether Solskjaer has the standing to attract big players. I believe he can. In fact, I believe his appointment will benefit United in bringing top players to Old Trafford. When you are trying to attract a major player, there are three main considerations. There’s the size of a club and its history and they do not come much bigger than United. There’s the financial side and, again, United have no issues there. If both of those match up, it comes down to the manager. Has he got a charismatic personality? Does he play an attractive style? Does he look like someone you want to work for? With Ole, I think the answer to all of the above is yes. If he was to sit down with a top player, I don’t know how they could not be engaged by him. The dynamic between footballers and managers has changed. In the past there were managers who ruled with fear but footballers are so wealthy nowadays and have so many opportunities that

they do not really respond to that as much any more.

Humility is a wonderful trait. We have seen it with Gareth Southgate and Solskjaer and the likes of Jurgen Klopp. Being humble, articulate, playing the right way and making your players feel special.

I know what it’s like as a footballer. We are simple creatures. We all have big egos. We want to be loved. A manager who makes you feel a million dollars, who does not talk down to you, who makes you feel good… that will win you over. When I left Liverpool, I had a brief chat with David Moyes about going to Everton. But I just couldn’t do that. Then I had the choice between Tottenham and Charlton. Everyone told me that Tottenham was the obvious choice.

I had a meeting with the Spurs technical director at the time, Frank Arnesen, who made me feel good about myself, but when I met the manager Jacques Santini, he just did not know much about me. Something did not feel right.

I went to speak to Alan Curbishley at Charlton. He was brilliant. He sold the club to me, made me feel really good about myself and told me how I would be a main part of the team.

Charlton and Tottenham offered me the same contract so once the money was not an issue, my decision was based solely on my conversations with the managers. When Virgil van Dijk signed for Liverpool, he was also wanted by Chelsea, Man City and Arsenal. Liverpool is a wonderful club but Chelsea had won the league more recently and City win things nearly every season.

So why did Van Dijk choose Liverpool? One reason: Jurgen Klopp. He connected with Van Dijk. He told him that while he would probably win things with City or Chelsea, if he managed to do so with Liverpool he would become a legend. He would be remembered forever.

Klopp convinced Van Dijk not only that he was the manager he wanted to play under but also that Liverpool was the right club.

I think Solskjaer can do the same at Old Trafford. He has the sell of United, he has the financial backing and I can see him being really good at persuading big players to join.