Updated 1.43pm
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER will not be taking over the vacant managerial position at Aston Villa, and will be staying on as manager of Molde in Norway.
The 39-year-old former Manchester United striker told a news conference on Saturday afternoon that he has another two years on his contract at Molde and that he is “not on the lookout for a new job.”
Solskjaer had been lined up to replace Alex McLeish at Villa and met with representatives of the Birmingham club on Friday.
He insisted, despite the earlier protestations from Molde chairman Oystein Neerland, that he had been given permission to speak to Aston Villa and was clearly unhappy with how things had developed in Norway.
He was asked if he felt Molde still trusted him and replied ‘Yes.’
Test
Neerland had revealed Molde would speak with Solskjaer regarding his future and admitted the club’s trust has been ‘put to the test.’
“We were made aware of the interest and the conversations, but it was still a disappointment that he chose to travel to England on Friday to speak with Aston Villa,” Neerland told Romsdals Budstikke.
“It seems we do not know anything about it. The trust is put to the test, and we have to get it back again before we work on. We expect that there will be a constructive conversation with Ole Gunnar on Saturday.
“We will take this worry within the club and explore the situation. So we will work hard to focus on the sport. There are three important games before the holiday and the first is already on Sunday.”
