Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hails from Tyne and Wear
New Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has turned to friends from Tyne and Wear for leadership advice.
Solskjaer, a former striker who lived and worked in the North East during his playing career, is reviving United’s fortunes after replacing Jose Mourinho in September.
“I’d certainly rate Ole a lot in how he thought before taking over,” former Newcastle and Celtic goalkeeper Jim Montgomery said.
“Ole has a track record of putting people in place with similar beliefs. The top teams have long-term thinkers.”
Solskjaer, 46, captained the club between 1995 and 1998. In his first game in charge he beat Tottenham 4-0 – before a 4-0 defeat to Paris St-Germain in next week’s Champions League.
He also managed Molde in Norway, before joining Cardiff City from Norwegian second division club Molde in 2017.
He lasted just eight months at the Welsh club, only returning to management with the Norwegian top-flight side Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates.
Montgomery, who became a hero at Newcastle as they won promotion in 1982 by beating Sheffield Wednesday 2-1, praised Solskjaer’s qualities as a leader, having worked with him when he was manager of Molde.
“Ole is comfortable at the top of the game,” he told BBC Sport. “He’s a real winner.”