Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is certainly the most enduring of the Sir Alex Ferguson successors at Manchester United – but has he been the most successful?
The former Red Devils striker, already the longest-lasting manager at Old Trafford since Fergie’s departure, was just handed a new contract until 2024 with the option of a further year. Solskjaer has not suffered the same fate as his predecessors just yet.
Having taken over from Jose Mourinho in December 2018, Solskjaer has since guided United to third and second in his two full Premier League seasons in charge. While the Norwegian is yet to deliver silverware, there have been signs of progress at United.
That much is clear when you look at his win record compared to Mourinho, Louis van Gaal and David Moyes…
David Moyes rescprd for the 2013-14 season: matches: 34 Wins: 17 Draws. 6 Losses: 11 Win percentage: 50.0 per cent. Trophies: Community Shield.
The Scot is restoring his reputation at West Ham after it all went horribly wrong at Old Trafford.
Geared up as the long-term successor to Sir Alex, and handpicked by his fellow Scot, the former Everton boss lasted less than a season into his mammoth six-year deal.
Louis van Gaal was in charge from 2014-2016. His record is summed up thus as follows, matches: 76 Wins: 39 Draws. 19 Losses: 18 Win percentage: 51.3 per cent. Trophies: FA Cup.
Van Gaal arrived with big expectations, having recently guided the Netherlands to the World Cup semi-finals. But while his character provided plenty of entertainment, his style of football did not. He did deliver an FA Cup, but was sacked just two days later.
Jose Mourinho took over Van Gaal between 2016 and 2018. Under Mourinho, Manchester United results were matches: 93 Wins: 50 Draws. 26 Losses: 17 Win percentage: 53.8 per cent. Trophies: Europa League, EFL Cup, Community Shield.
Mourinho can claim to be the most successful United manager of the post-Fergie era in terms of trophies.
The iconic manager won the Europa League, League Cup and Community Sheild during his time at Old Trafford, but his reign turned sour. Public fallouts with players such as Paul Pogba, plus a woeful start to the 2018-19 campaign, led to his sacking.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been in the driving seat from 2018 to present. Matches: 151; Wins: 84; draws: 34; losses: 33; Win percentage: 55.6 per cent; trophies: None… yet
Although there are no trophies to show for it, Solskjaer boasts the best win ratio of any United manager since Fergie.
And what’s more, the Norwegian plays an exciting brand of football built around young talent, which will only improve with the £73 million ($100 million) arrival of Jadon Sancho. It’s no wonder United feel they are heading in the right direction.
- A Tell / TalkSport report