OLE GUNNAR Solskjaer said he had held “informal” talks with Aston Villa and not substantive negotiations over the vacant manager’s job after flying from Norway for discussions with the club’s owner, Randy Lerner, yesterday.
A private jet belonging to Lerner flew into Solskjaer’s home town of Kristiansund to collect the 39-year-old and take him to Birmingham. The former Manchester United striker is the manager of Molde, where he is one year into a contract that expires in 2014.
Villa, like Solskjaer, regarded the talks as no more than preliminary discussions as they search for a replacement for Alex McLeish, who was sacked on Monday. “I can confirm I have spoken to Aston Villa,” Solskjaer told the Norwegian newspaper Romsdals Budstikke. “There were no negotiations, but first an informal chat. They also have other candidates they want to talk to.”
Solskjaer returned to Norway last night and will take training as normal today with Molde in preparation for a game tomorrow at Sandnes Ulf. “I wanted to show respect for one of the big clubs in the Premier League by meeting their questions about the initial call,” he said.
It is not certain Solskjaer would want to take the Villa job even if he were offered it. His side will enter the Champions League at the second qualifying round next season after leading Molde to the first title in their history. He also has family considerations at a time when he is enjoying seeing his three children growing up in his homeland.
Other managers being considered by Villa include Wigan Athletic’s Roberto Martinez, Norwich City’s Paul Lambert and Swansea City’s Brendan Rodgers.
