A fast and furious set of reports following Matt Kendrick’s article in the Mail saying that Ole had pulled out of the running…It would appear, as of this moment, that the deal might be dead.
So…Di Matteo. Lambert. Martinez. Poyet. Who do you want? Will they be better than OGS? Is the excitement all spent, or can we be happy with someone else who does have more experience in tougher leagues?
I don’t think we had our eggs all in one basket, as OGS consistently said the right things about preliminary talks and others being interviewed. So, I don’t think we’ve burnt bridges. And, if it’s for the reasons widely stated, home, family, and unfinished business with a club in uncharted territories of success and excitement, then it’s not a slap in the face. He’s making a choice for good reasons, and I can’t fault him for that, just like I didn’t fault Martinez for also showing loyalty. That’s to be applauded, I would think, even if it’s not what many wanted to hear.
I also can’t say that reflects poorly on Lerner or Faulkner. OGS is seemingly a man of character, and that only reflects well on all concerned.
As far as behind-the-scenes pressures, etc., who knows. But I can OGS being worried about the team he’s been leading if his departure somehow sees everything behind it unraveling. It would almost sound like emotional blackmail, but I certainly can’t say so without knowing more.
And just to make things interesting, there were many reports saying the deal would be done just prior to this coming out. And there’s a cryptic quote from the man himself following talks over an apparently very nice dinner.
“We will soon announce what the future holds,” Solskjaer was quoted as saying. “You will know soon enough.”
Doesn’t really sound like a done deal to me, but others are out on a limb saying it is.
Sky are saying: “Villa have insisted that no offer was made to Solskjaer and have confirmed he is no longer under consideration for the role.”
Sky go on to say: “As a result of Solskjaer’s talks with Villa, he returned to Norway to learn that Molde’s billionaire backer Kjell Inge Rokke had pulled the plug on his company’s 20-year support. Rokke had criticised Solskjaer’s decision to fly to England to hold talks with Villa and the club were unhappy that the discussions emerged into the public domain.
Villa will now have to assess other candidates for the vacancy, with Norwich City’s Paul Lambert and Wigan Athletic’s Roberto Martinez rumoured to be front-runners.
Martinez turned down the chance to take charge at Villa Park 12 months ago, while it is understood that there has yet to be an approach from Villa for Lambert.”
I’ve yet to see anything on the official site, but I’m sure our readers will keep us updated below.
Update: This quote is being said to indicate Paul Lambert has taken himself out of the running as well: “I am delighted I am at Norwich if that is what you are asking. I have never said a word that I want to get away. Not a thing and people jump to conclusions about what I say or don’t say.”
Doesn’t sound terribly conclusive to me, but you never know. Just seems the right thing to say if he’s not been contacted. Probably a reasonable thing to say if he has and the process is ongoing.
The Author
