• Premier League

Solskjaer: Giggs has potential to be great Utd boss

ESPN staff
March 12, 2013
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been tipped as a potential successor to Sir Alex Ferguson © Getty Images
Enlarge

Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs has his eye on Sir Alex Ferguson's job when the long-serving boss calls it a day, according to former team-mate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Giggs, 39, is the most decorated player in English football history having won 25 major honours and, although he has confirmed he will play on for at least one more season, the Welshman has previously stated that he would be keen on a career in management.

And while Solskjaer himself has been tipped for the top job at Old Trafford when 71-year-old Ferguson eventually calls it a day, he feels his old team-mate would be a good fit for United.

"Giggsy is going to play another year (but) I'd say he's got his eyes and ears open more to what the manager is doing," Solskjaer told Reuters. "He's looking at that job for himself, Giggsy. He's got top potential."

Solskjaer, who himself is an icon at United for his stoppage-time winner in the 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich and his 15 years of service for the club as a player and coach, also reiterated his own desire to follow in Ferguson's footsteps in the future.

"I've said it before that my dream is to manage Man United - that's tongue in cheek really, because it's a massive job, it's the biggest job in the world," Solskjaer said.

"But you have to dream big - if you don't dream big you won't make it, so let's just wait and see what happens."

Solskjaer returned to his native Norway in 2011 after three years coaching the United reserves and delivered Molde their first ever league title in 2011, following it up with another crown in 2012.

The former striker was linked with a move to Aston Villa last year, but he insists he is happy to stay in his homeland for now.

"You have to win the league every year to be regarded as the best team in Norway, and we want to be regarded as the best team in Norway," Solskjaer said.

"To qualify for the Champions League would be so massive financially for the club. We don't have a budget near the top clubs in Norway, but we'll do our best in July to qualify."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close