Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, one of my favourite footballers ever, announced his retirement on the 27th August 2007. Despite not being a fan of Man Utd, I've been following his career ever since he made his debut in 1996 and scoring against Blackburn Rovers, ironically my favourite club. During his career spanning from 1996 to 2007, Solskjaer would be remembered for a number of things.
1. Baby-faced assassin
Solskjaer will probably be the one and only "baby-faced assassin" in the history of football. Hidden behind his boyish looks is a critical finisher who, more often than not, makes his chances count. Unlike Andy Cole, who is famously known for requiring 3 chances to score a goal, Solskjaer is efficiency personified. Given his ability to convert his chances effectively, it was a shame that Solskjaer spent a significant part of his Man Utd career on the bench. If he was given the luxury of a starting berth in the majority of matches like Van Nistelrooy in the past, he might very well become one of the top scorers in Man utd history. His time on the bench brings us to the next thing he will be remembered for, as a...
2. Super-sub
Solskjaer is well-known for being the trump card in Sir Alex ferguson's sleeve when the tide is against his team. Who will ever forget the night at Nou Camp in 1999 when Solskjaer stamped his name among the Man Utd legends with his winning goal against Bayern Munich in the dying seconds of the game? Or his heroics of scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup against arch-rivals Liverpool after coming off the bench? Or his 4 goals performance against Nottingham Forest after coming on as a substitute? One reason highlighted by Ferguson for Solskjaer's amazing ability to make an impact off the bench is the fact that Solskjaer was constantly studying the match as it progressed, his mind being on the pitch though his body wasn't, which may explain his ability to adapt quickly to the tempo of the game after coming on. His super-sub status, however, might have brought him a dilemma in terms of his career choice and his decision proved that Solskjaer is a...
3. true Red Devil
Given his predatory instincts, it came as no surprise that clubs in England and abroad would love to give him a place in the starting 11 which he rightfully deserved. However, Solskjaer resisted the temptation to move and stayed at Old Trafford when many other footballers would have moved in search of first team football. Why did he stay? Is it his gratitude for Sir Alex? Is it his love for the Old Trafford faithful? Whichever the reasons, by making such a decision, Solskjaer proved himself to be a true Red Devil and the professionalism he displayed, when compared to the prima donnas in the Premier League today, has to be respected and applauded.
Overall, from a personal point of view, even though Solskjaer have officially retired from the game, he will always remain one of my favourite footballers of all time. But don't bet of Solskjaer slipping off the football radar as I have a sneaking suspicion that Solskjaer may step into management in future. Considering that ex-Man Utd players such as Mark Hughes, Roy Keane, Steve Bruce, Bryan Robson and Steve Coppell have all made the transition from players to managers with varying degrees of success, it will be no surprise if Solskjaer is the next in line, where his ability to study the game from the sidelines may prove invaluable as a manager who can turn the tide of a game just like Sir Alex. Solskjaer as a Man Utd manager someday? Sounds good to me :p
