Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is now the top pick for a surprising Premier League coaching job.
Former Manchester United striker and coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is now one of the top candidates for a surprising Premier League job.
Solskjaer has managed Cardiff City and Manchester United before, leaving the Red Devils in 2021. After a four-year break from coaching, the 53-year-old took charge of Turkish club Beşiktaş in 2025, but only lasted nine months after the team missed out in the Conference League play-offs.
Since then, he hasn’t had a coaching role but is now being considered to replace Kieran McKenna as Ipswich Town manager. McKenna stepped down on June 10 after leading Ipswich to Premier League promotion in 2026.
BBC Sport says Solskjaer is a top choice for Ipswich, along with Gary O’Neil, the current Strasbourg boss. McKenna had been linked with Fulham but decided to take a break from football. Meanwhile, former Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa is being talked about as a possible new Fulham manager.
Solskjaer has often shared how much he loves living in England. He was linked to the Rangers job in 2024 and was also considered to take over at Manchester United before Michael Carrick became interim coach in January.
In a November 2025 interview, Solskjaer said, “I enjoy helping players and staff believe in themselves and build confidence. Of course, good results help. I didn’t personally speak to Rangers, but my agent did. I’m open to offers, not desperate, but I love living in England. My kids want me to coach in the Championship or higher. For me, it’s about working with people.”
Solskjaer has also managed Norway’s Molde in two spells.
Here are some of the odds for the Ipswich job, according to Oddschecker:
– Kjetil Knutsen: 5/4
– Ole Gunnar Solskjær: 2/1
– Gary O’Neil: 4/1
– Brian Barry-Murphy: 6/1
– Brendan Rodgers: 6/1
– Liam Rosenior: 6/1
Other names have longer odds.