Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ‘turns down approach for national team role after talks’ despite becoming the ODDS-ON favourite for surprise managerial job

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reportedly turned down the chance to return to management in January despite holding talks over a vacant role.

The former Manchester United boss hasn’t taken charge of a side since being sacked by the Red Devils in 2021, though has said on a number of occasions that he is keen to re-enter the industry.

He had led the likes of Cardiff and Molde prior to becoming a coach at United, and took over permanently when Jose Mourinho left, three years prior to his departure.

Solskjaer became the odds-on favourite to be named as the next Republic of Ireland job on Friday, having seen his odds having been slashed by bookmakers from 80-1.

According to the Athletic, the Norwegian has confirmed he briefly held talks about the vacancy in January.

The former Red Devils boss has not managed a side since leaving his former club in 2021

Solskjaer reportedly decided the role would not be right for him, with the 51-year-old claimed to have ‘no idea’ where the latest reports have come from.

The Football Association of Ireland are reportedly expected to announce the new manager next week.

A search has been underway since the departure of Stephen Kenny last November at the conclusion 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 to have been linked with the vacancy, with the Republic of Ireland still seeking to confirm their new manager. 

The Norwegian still remains among the contenders with several bookmakers, with Paddy Power listing the former striker as the 10/3 second favourite.

Ex-Man United defender John O’Shea is now favourite at 13/8 having served as interim boss during recent international matches.

Roy Keane and Steve Bruce follow at 11/2 and 17/2 respectively, with Bayern Munich coach Anthony Barry fifth favourite at 14/1.

The Republic of Ireland have been looking for a new boss since Stephen Kenny’s departure

Former Man United defender John O’Shea has served as interim manager of the men’s team

Roy Keane, meanwhile, has expressed his desire to return to coaching at international level

Keane had recently spoken on Stick to Football about his attraction to international football and how he has enjoyed being a coach of a side at that level rather than at a club. 

‘International football, I enjoyed it when I was a coach,’ the former midfielder said. ‘I liked the dynamics of it where you’re not in every day and it’s not about bringing players in and dealing with the board every week or the academy. Yeah, that does appeal.’

‘I did enjoy the dynamics when I was coaching with Martin [O’Neill] with the Irish team. We had a little bit of success and when you’ve had a bit of success then it’s brilliant, but obviously there are disappointments. So yeah, that could be an option.’

Though he has not been a manager since leaving Ipswich in 2011, Keane, Solskjaer’s former captain, was assistant under O’Neill and a key part of his coaching set-up between 2013 and 2018.

The Republic of Ireland last featured at a major men’s tournament under O’Neill after reaching Euro 2016, before missing out on the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia after a play-off defeat to Denmark.