After a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Watford on Saturday, Manchester United have sacked manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, ending a three-year reign and a contract that should have lasted until 2024.
"Manchester United announces that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has left his role as manager. Ole will always be a legend at Manchester United and it is with regret that we have reached this difficult decision," United said in a statement
Solskjaer's future has hung in the balance before but he has finally lost his job at the club where he was adored as a player, notably for scoring the dramatic late winner in the 1999 Champions League final.
He couldn't replicate that success as a manager, failing to win a single trophy.
Coming after chastening losses to fierce rivals Liverpool (5-0) and Manchester City (2-0) in the last month, Solskjaer said he was embarrassed after United's lackluster performance at Watford but insisted after the game he still could turn things around at the club.
The club now ranks seventh in the Premier League, having lost five of their last seven league games. The board's minimum target now is qualification for the Champions League, the Guardian reported.
"Ole leaves with our sincerest thanks for his tireless efforts as Manager and our very best wishes for the future. His place in the club’s history will always be secure, not just for his story as a player, but as a great man and a Manager who gave us many great moments. He will forever be welcome back at Old Trafford as part of the Manchester United family," the club said.
Michael Carrick will take charge of the team for forthcoming games including the coming Champions League clash against Villareal on Tuesday. The club plans to appoint an interim manager to the end of the season.
With inputs from PTI
