John Arne Riise has shared his perspective on the possible return of Ole Gunnar Solskjær to Manchester United, suggesting that the club has come to appreciate the quality of work he delivered during his previous spell in charge. Riise believes there is now a greater understanding of the challenges Solskjær faced and the achievements he managed under difficult circumstances.
Reassessment of Solskjær’s first spell
Solskjær departed Manchester United in 2021 after a downturn in results, a period that followed the high-profile arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo. At the time, criticism of his tenure was widespread. However, Riise argues that opinions have shifted, particularly given the instability that has followed at Old Trafford. Since Solskjær’s departure, the club has appointed several managers, excluding interim coaches, yet has struggled to achieve sustained progress or consistency.
Despite later difficulties in his managerial career, including a disappointing spell at Besiktas, Solskjær’s time at United is now viewed by some as one of the more successful periods in the post Sir Alex Ferguson era. His side regularly competed near the top of the table, and the overall environment around the team was seen as more stable than in subsequent years. Riise suggests that factors behind the scenes, which were not fully understood at the time, played a significant role in shaping perceptions of Solskjær’s reign.
Manchester United consider an interim solution
Reports indicate that Manchester United are in discussions about bringing Solskjær back as manager until the end of the season, allowing the club time to identify a long-term appointment. Such a move would also offer Solskjær an opportunity to restore his reputation following his struggles away from England.
Commenting on the rumours, Riise said, as quoted by Nettavisen, “Ole enjoys respect and I think people now see in retrospect what job he really did last time and what he had to contend with. There was a lot behind the scenes that people didn’t know and understand before he was fired. But they now see that what Ole did was very good.”
