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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed as Cardiff City manager

By on January 2, 2014

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been confirmed as the replacement for Malky Mackay as manager of Cardiff City after the Norwegian was pictured at Cardiff’s new years day loss to Arsenal alongside owner Vincent Tan.  The 40-year-old was the clear favorite to take over the disgraced position at the Welsh club following the sacking of Mackay seven days ago, with Tan hoping for Solskjaer to do the same job he did at his former club Molde.

The former Manchester United forward took over at a newly promoted Molde struggling at the wrong end of Norway’s top division in 2011, yet somehow guided them to the league title in his first two seasons in charge.  Now, on a one-year contract at the Cardiff City Stadium, all Solskjaer claimed he hoped to do was turn Cardiff into a mid-table club.  Solskjaer also said he was was delighted to be given the opportunity to manage a Premier League club, and even said he had no issues working under a controversial figure such as Tan.

“I’ve always dreamt of being a manager in the Premier League, and I’m delighted to get the opportunity,” Solskjaer said. “We want to push this club forward. The quality of the staff and players is high here.

“I’ve had my best times of my career in the Premier League. I can’t wait to lead Cardiff City in front of this passionate support, and I’m really looking forward

to the challenge ahead. I’m going to bring my energy and enthusiasm to the club.”

According to a statement on Cardiff City’s official website Solskjaer has already met with the Cardiff squad, and is logically preparing for Cardiff’s trip to Newcastle on Saturday.

“Following discussions with Tan Sri Vincent Tan and club chairman Mehmet Dalman, Ole, joining Cardiff City from Molde FK, today met with his new squad at the Vale training ground,” the statement read.

The appointment has been met with general excitement from Cardiff fans who will be glad to see the back of Tan’s public disagreements with Mackay, and Solskaer said he is aiming to make Bluebirds fans proud of the club.

“Whenever the manager put me on the bench [at Manchester United], I wanted to prove to him he is wrong,” Solskjaer said. “And if there is any doubts, don’t worry, I’m coming into this with clear and open eyes, I know what I’m going into and I’m so looking forward to it. I’m going to bring my energy, enthusiasm, football knowledge … I want my team to play exciting football, we want the fans to come here and be proud of us.”

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.