Ahead of a supposed announcement from the FAI next week, we still have no idea as to who will be the next Ireland manager.
It has been suggested that the likes of Lee Carsley, Gus Poyet, and Anthony Barry have all rejected the job in recent months. As well as that, other candidates like Neil Lennon, Chris Coleman, and Paul Clement are said to no longer be in the running.
There was the emergence of a different name in recent hours, one that has drawn quite the reaction.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was previously a long shot in the betting markets to be the next Ireland manager, with odds as lengthy as 80/1 in recent days. However, he has suddenly dropped to become an odds on favourite for the role.
Having been 80/1 in recent days, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is now the 3/10 favourite to be the next Ireland manager 😳
Do they know something we don't? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/EVPyEKEXR4— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) April 12, 2024
There has been little indication as to whether this move has any substance behind it, but it has clearly drawn quite the reaction from Ireland fans.
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Fans split over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Ireland manager rumours
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's time at Manchester United was clearly up when he left the club in 2021, although he would be an intriguing fit for Ireland.
As someone with a decent recent record in both the Premier League and European competition, his CV would outweigh the majority of the other candidates for the role.
The rumours of his links to the Aviva have drawn a fairly positive reaction, most notably from Man United fans.
This would be an incredible appointment.
Fans of opposition clubs will knock him but as a Man Utd fan I can hand on heart say he doesn't get anywhere near the credit he deserves for what he did at United. Literally had the most rotten dressing room United has probably ever seen. https://t.co/TZFVUAI911— James O'Donoghue (@odonoghuejames) April 12, 2024
This would be mint. They’d give him the love he deserves and there’s a really decent young generation of Irish players coming through currently. Perfect appointment if it happens. https://t.co/KW1pYSVMj9
— Smith (@salfordsmith61) April 12, 2024
Would absolutely love Ole to be manager of Ireland! https://t.co/lfjHDAXy6t
— Cormac Murphy (@CormacMurphy5) April 12, 2024
I would be thrilled if this is true https://t.co/UrbT99xY3S
— Tim (@Naasy_Chapman) April 12, 2024
I never thought this was a genuine possibility…. Holy shit https://t.co/4gg2E2eqGV
— Howey (@AaronHowey) April 12, 2024
I’d fucking love it. I’d actually watch Ireland again https://t.co/eTWysZ3bHW
— Tony Tucker (@tonanesthetic) April 12, 2024
People complaining about this move as if he wouldn’t be one of the best managers to ever take the Ireland job lol
— ⚜️ Hog ⚜️ (@CFCHog) April 12, 2024
Republic of Ireland are back! pic.twitter.com/SliH0dxbLf
— Rob 🇮🇪 Peil.ie (@robdugg) April 12, 2024
It would certainly be an intriguing fit.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was criticised for his lack of tactical sophistication during his time at Old Trafford, but such an approach could be well suited at international level. He also got a reasonable of success from those methods prior to his final season at the club.
In saying that, not everyone is enthused by the prospect.
Are Canham and Co a front for the lads off the Overlap? https://t.co/mBm21N6ZG1
— Christian Peyton (@ChristianPeyton) April 12, 2024
Oh FFS https://t.co/29GcuFVqfg
— MrPaddyMurphy (@MrPaddyMurphy) April 12, 2024
I’m declaring my allegiance to Scotland of this happens.
— LFC (@PuffinHugger) April 12, 2024
From bad to worse https://t.co/UDQH945wEy
— Paul Mac (@paulmacc_) April 12, 2024
Money would perhaps be an obstacle in the appointment, with Solksjaer earning a reported £7.5million per year in his role at Manchester United. The FAI are said to be offering a salary of around €700,000 for the next Ireland manager.
However, having turned down advances from Saudi Arabia in recent months, he may not see money as an issue. After over two years out of the game, the Norwegian could be willing to step back in if he feels the fit is right regardless of the finances on offer.
It will be interesting to see if anything comes of these rumours.
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