Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made a quiet return to the Premier League on Saturday, not as a manager or player but as a spectator.
The former Manchester United striker, who netted 91 goals in 235 Premier League appearances during an illustrious career at Old Trafford from 1996 to 2007, was spotted at Molineux for Wolves’ 2-1 defeat to Ipswich Town.
Solskjaer’s connection to English football runs deep. After retiring as a player, he briefly managed Cardiff City in 2014 before taking the reins at United in December 2018, a tenure that lasted until November 2021.
Since his departure from the Old Trafford hot seat over three years ago, Solskjaer has stayed out of the managerial spotlight.
Last month, the Norwegian hinted at a comfortable semi-retirement during an appearance on the Bakrommet podcast.
“Now I do exactly what I want and enjoy myself,” he said.
“I have reached a position where I can pick and choose, and I am lucky there. Financially, I don’t need anything.”
Despite those remarks, Solskjaer has reportedly turned down managerial offers from Denmark and former club Molde in recent months.
Yet speculation over his return to the dugout persists, with bookmakers naming him as a leading candidate to replace Gary O’Neil at Wolves, should the under-pressure boss be sacked.
While Solskjaer’s visit to Molineux could easily stoke such rumours, sources suggest his trip had a different motive.
According to Mail Sport, Solskjaer wanted to catch up with Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna, who was part of his coaching staff during his United tenure, as well as Ipswich assistant Martyn Pert, another former colleague.
The pair were seen embracing before the game, and social media buzzed with additional speculation, including claims that Solskjaer attended the match because one of his sons supports Ipswich.
The Tractor Boys left Wolves reeling after Jack Taylor’s dramatic 94th-minute winner sealed the visitors’ victory. Earlier, an own goal by Matt Doherty had given Ipswich the lead before Matheus Cunha equalised for Wolves.
The defeat was Wolves’ fourth consecutive league loss, leaving them second-bottom in 19th place.
Tempers flared after the final whistle, with Rayan Aït-Nouri receiving a second yellow card and being escorted off the pitch by teammate Craig Dawson.
Matheus Cunha, meanwhile, faces potential disciplinary action after footage appeared to show him striking an Ipswich official, dislodging the victim’s glasses.
Meanwhile, another former United star had a difficult weekend in the Premier League. Ruud van Nistelrooy suffered his first defeat as Leicester City manager, with his side soundly beaten 4-0 by Newcastle United.
Reflecting on the match, Van Nistelrooy acknowledged his team’s struggles.
“Against a top team in the league, and we help them in their way with a couple of set-pieces in their favour, it was going to be a hard afternoon,” he said.
“I think it’s development of the team as well. We need to learn from these games and how Newcastle outplayed us in counter-attacks. They were clever in the block and on set-pieces. It is a long season. We move on, reflect, and get better from this.”
Leicester, now preparing for a crucial clash with Wolves just days before Christmas, will be eager to bounce back after their drubbing at St James’ Park.
“Every game for us is huge,” Van Nistelrooy added.
“Everything has to be right to get results in the Premier League, and the next one as well [will be no different].”
As Wolves and Leicester wrestle with their respective challenges, all eyes remain on Solskjaer’s next move. Whether his return to Molineux was merely a social visit or a prelude to something greater remains to be seen.
