Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been confirmed as Manchester United manager on a permanent basis after excelling in the role of caretaker over the past few months.
Since succeeding Jose Mourinho in the Old Trafford dugout last December, Solskjaer has restored United’s pride and got them challenging for a Premier League top four finish and into the final stages of the Champions League.
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Ole’s at the wheel – and this time it’s permanent
His fine work was rewarded with a three-year contract, as Solskjaer fulfilled a dream to become the full-time Red Devils boss.
The Norwegian met the press for the first time since the announcement on Thursday afternoon, and discussed subjects including United’s summer transfer business, his talk with Sir Alex Ferguson – and even Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk’s housing arrangements.
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You can read the full transcript of Solskjaer’s first press conference as Manchester United’s permanent manager, below…
On his dream job
“This has been my ultimate dream all the time. Maybe a naive dream but I have always had this dream – it has always been in my mind.
“I’m so honoured and privileged to be given this fantastic responsibility.
“Proud isn’t the right word; I’m happy and honoured it’s the start of something new, a fresh start. Now the hard work starts.”
On the future
“I’m just going to be my self. I know the expectations of the club.
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Solskjaer was unveiled as United’s permanent manager on Thursday afternoon
“Of course I want to be successful and I can’t wait to get on to the challenge of improving this great bunch of players, a squad full of potential.
“We have worked for three months and the improvement is there to be seen. There’s so much more to come from them. We know we have a way to go.”
On his targets and summer business
“When I got the job we were 11 points behind fourth, and now we have a great chance to get top four or even top three. That’s the short term target in the league.
“We have been discussing how to move forward. That doesn’t mean X amount of money or X amount of players, but it’s now easier to be clear about what we need to do.
“We will do some business this summer.
“The lure of the Champions League is important for some players but to play for Manchester United you know you will be here playing Champions League over your contract.
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United have been linked with summer moves for a host of players, including England forward Jadon Sancho
“We are in a great position to get in the Champions League but that’s not decided until May 12.
“We probably need to get going before then with talks with players to come in and who’s going to stay.
“To know who the manager is for the club next season is helpful for any player to decide where he wants to play. We’ve got a couple of players we’re in talks with and hopefully we can get their futures sorted.
“So many that have been written about and so many players agents I have been in touch with that want to come here, and when we decide what we have to do hopefully we will get them by pre-season.”
On speaking with Sir Alex Ferguson
“I have spoken to him.
“I’m not going to discuss what we spoke about, but it is one of the first phone calls you make when things were more or less decided.”
On pressure
“We are a team. The staff I have had have been fantastic and I have had some great backing from Ed [Woodward, executive vice-chairman] which is great.
“Communication is important.
“The players have been great, and the supporters have made these three months for me unbelievable, but now it’s up to us together to keep making progress because we know there’s room for improvement.”
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On what he has changed
“What we have done… I’ve come in and tried to put smiles on people’s faces
“Whether you do that by winning or speaking to [the players] or having meetings it’s about creating an environment everyone wants to be a part of to be their best self.
“Give them the freedom to be their best selves.
“We were lucky and we won the first few games, that helped.
“As a striker I was always an optimist, you look back and how it feels and what it feels like to be a champion and these players can’t wait to see them get that feeling.”
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Solskjaer guided United to victory in 14 of 19 matches during his time as caretaker manager
On the summer plan
“Everything is step by step – you don’t make radical changes.
“I can’t wait to get through a pre-season with them with different methods.
“Manchester United are a huge club with loads of tradition, it’s about taking it step by step getting the right people in the right positions.
“We can’t complain – it’s a fantastically run club.”
On returning to United as manager
“When I do leave here, if I can look back and have had success and lift trophies, I would be more happy than I was as a player. That’s a bigger achievement.
“As a player it was fantastic to work under the best manager in the world and now I’m at the top working with them.
“I have dreamt about it and visualised it myself. We have had three months and the players have responded fantastically and we are looking forward to working together.”
On winning the Premier League again
“To lift the Premier League trophy is what we expect, what we’re used to, what we have done so many times.
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Solskjaer won the Premier League six times as a player
“It’s not like it’s going to happen overnight, catching 15, 16, 17 points on the top teams. I know we will be successful, but it’s about taking it step by step.”
On the players
“The players want to come in and do the work and play football.
“We had some great chats today but most of it was about Watford [United’s next opponent]; we are thinking about that, now they know I’m staying for a bit longer than expected.
“Players who get complacent never last at this club and managers are same.
“I can’t rest now I’ve got a job, we’re looking forward and we’ve got to work harder.”
On his backroom staff
“Mike [Phelan, assistant] is a key part of the set up and they’re talking to each other.
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Phelan (left) returned to United to work with Solskjaer
“I have voiced my opinion and hope the set up will continue as the staff we have work.
“I’m not looking to make any changes there so hopefully it will be the same.”
On long-term goals
“The day I leave I hope it’s with a smile on my face having given the supporters a good time.
“I will always be myself. I won’t change – I will be an optimistic and positive guy and we will do that tomorrow.”
On kicking Virgil van Dijk out the house he rents from Solskjaer
“No, I haven’t [served notice for Van Dijk to leave]. We’ve got a contract there.”
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