After nine months in charge of the Bluebirds, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer is out at Cardiff City.
In a statement released by the Welsh club on Thursday, owner Vincent Tan revealed that the Norwegian manager is no longer in charge.
[RELATED: Cardiff, Fulham, Norwich relegated]
Solksjaer, 41, joined Cardiff in January last season as he tried to save them from relegation from the Premier League but ultimately failed. Since then, Cardiff have failed to adapt to life back in the Championship (England’s second-tier) and currently sit in 17th place in the standings.
Speaking about Solksjaer, here’s what Tan had to say.
“Ole was hired by Cardiff City on our understanding and belief that he would help us fight relegation from the Barclays Premier League. Unfortunately that did not happen, ” Tan said. “After the Club was relegated many people advised me to let him go, but I decided to keep Ole on for the Championship season. Regrettably our recent results do not justify Ole’s continued role as manager at Cardiff.”
While Solksjaer lifted the lid on the main reason he left the club, citing “philosophical differences” in the best way to manage the soccer team.
“I want to thank Vincent for giving me the opportunity to manage Cardiff City FC,” Solksjaer said. “He has my full respect and I really wish him all the best in his pursuit of making this football club successful. However, our difference in philosophy on how to manage the club made me decide to step aside and allow the Club to move forward in the direction Vincent wants.”
The former Manchester United legend has ultimately failed in this first big job as a manager. In Norway he led Molde to two titles but on his return to the UK he suffered 16 defeats in 30 games in charge of Cardiff. Solksjaer won just nine games with a goal differential of -20.
It’s safe to say that this outcome is best for both parties.
