Fans say ‘it’s not April 1 yet’ as Man Utd legend Solskjaer linked with Bayern Munich job in stunning reports in Germany
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER is being lined up as a shock replacement for Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich, according to sensational reports.
Tuchel finds himself under immense pressure at the Allianz Arena following three defeats in a row.
That sees the reigning Bundesliga champions at serious risk of an early Champions League exit to Lazio and eight points off Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen.
And now Sky Sport Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg claims Bayern are weighing up a stunning move for Solskjaer to take over as interim boss.
Plettenberg tweeted on Monday evening: “News Solskjær: FC Bayern is monitoring the 50 y/o – as a potential interim solution!
“But the original plan remains: FC Bayern would like to continue with Thomas Tuchel at least until the end of the season!
“Bayern and Solskjær: Nothing concrete at this stage!
“The former Man Utd manager is a free agent and ready to take over a new project.
“Freund, he’s following the way of Solskjær for years. @SkySportDE”
Earlier on, Plettenberg also linked Zinedine Zidane with the job, while Liverpool-target Xabi Alonso is said to be the preferred candidate as he works wonders at Leverkusen.
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But the follow-up post about Solskjaer understandably left fans utterly baffled.
One joked: “It’s not April 1st yet…”
Another wrote: “Please no.”
A third added: “Noooo. You have to be on the wind-up? Surely not?”
But a final user quipped: “Fans are going to be in for a shock when they realise that Mr ‘Just Vibes’ is actually a top-drawer head coach and man-motivator. Would be a great appointment.”
Solskjaer, 50, permanently etched his name into Manchester United history when he scored the epic 93rd-minute winner in the Champions League final… against Bayern.
He retired from his playing days in 2007 before stepping into coaching, initially with the Red Devils academy before two successful stints at former club Molde either side of a dreary spell with Cardiff.
The Norwegian was given the Old Trafford gig in 2018, initially as an interim boss to replace Jose Mourinho.
But after a flying start, Solskjaer got the job on a permanent basis although he was sacked in November 2022 following a 4-1 loss to Watford.
The ex-striker has been out of work ever since.
But he revealed this month he is ready to return to management – and was open to working in a new country.
He said: “I’ve got at least one club job in me. It has to be an interesting one, somewhere, an adventure, somewhere, I can be myself.
“No disrespect, but after you’ve managed Manchester United for three years, it’s like, where do you go?
“I want to feel that pressure again. You know, when you see the games, you miss it.
“I’ve had offers. Most recently, two from Saudi Arabia.
If you’ve managed Man Utd, you put your own criteria about what you want to work with. I love England and the Premier League.
“Even the Championship feels stronger than ever, but I don’t feel bound to England. Maybe a different challenge where I need to experience a new culture and learn a new language.”
Bayern suffered embarrassment earlier in the season when they were dumped out of the DFB-Pokal Cup by third-tier FC Saarbrucken.
Tuchel’s men flew through their Champions League group with five wins and a draw – including the double over United – to top their group.
But their form has fallen off a cliff in recent weeks, with a crushing defeat to Xabi Alonso’s surprise title challengers Bayer before the first-leg last-16 loss at Lazio.
Now the likes of Harry Kane, Eric Dier, Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane – all former Premier League stars – as well as Bayern heroes Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller and Joshua Kimmich are at risk of seeing their 2023 title-winning manager sacked.
And that could extraordinarily lead to the incredible temporary appointment of Solskjaer.
However, Alonso, Jose Mourinho, Hansi Flick and Roberto De Zerbi are also among the early contenders to take over in the Bayern dugout should Tuchel go.
