Ole Gunnar Solskjaer becomes leading candidate for shock Premier League job

Former Manchester United striker and head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reportedly one of the leading candidates for a shock Premier League job.

Solskjaer has previously managed both Cardiff City and Manchester United in the Premier League, with the Norwegian leaving the latter in 2021.

After taking a four-year break from management, the 53-year-old became head coach of Turkish side Beşiktaş in 2025, but lasted just nine months and was sacked after the club failed to progress through the Conference League play-offs in August of that year.

Since then, he has been without a managerial role but is now being linked with succeeding Kieran McKenna as Ipswich Town boss after the Northern Irishman stepped down from the position on June 10, despite guiding the Tractor Boys to promotion to the Premier League in 2026.

According to BBC Sport, Solskjaer is high on the club's shortlist, while former Wolves and Bournemouth manager Gary O'Neil, who currently manages Strasbourg, is also a leading candidate.

McKenna had been linked with the Fulham job following Marco Silva's exit but has decided to take a break from football.

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Former Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa has since been heavily linked with becoming the Cottagers' head coach.

Meanwhile, Solskjaer has previously spoken openly about his love of living in England. He was also linked with the Rangers job in 2024 before once again being mooted as Ruben Amorim's successor at Old Trafford, prior to Michael Carrick being announced as Manchester United's interim head coach in January.

When asked about a return to management during an appearance on Stick to Football, brought to you by Sky Bet, in November 2025, Solskjaer said: "I enjoy giving belief to the players, the staff, believing in themselves, give them the confidence but, of course, the results make it easier.

"No, I didn't speak to them [Rangers], but me personally didn't. They call my agent or my agent rings, well, he's my best mate. I'm open, it's not like I'm desperate to be back but England, I love living here, I think so.

"My kids ask me mid-Championship and up, but I'm a football man. Is it Norway? Sweden? It's about working with people. When I played Football Manager and Championship Manager, I liked to defy the odds."

Solskjaer has also managed Norway's Molde across two spells.

Next permanent Ipswich Town manager odds

Kjetil Knutsen — 5/4

Ole Gunnar Solskjær — 2/1

Gary O'Neil — 4/1

Brian Barry-Murphy — 6/1

Brendan Rodgers — 6/1

Liam Rosenior — 6/1

Kim Hellberg — 16/1

Oliver Glasner — 20/1

Rob Edwards — 25/1

Roger Schmidt — 25/1

Bo Svensson — 33/1

Dino Toppmöller — 33/1

Mark Robins — 33/1

Robbie Keane — 33/1

Ange Postecoglou — 33/1

Danny Röhl — 33/1

José Bordalás — 33/1

Matt Bloomfield — 33/1

Paulo Fonseca — 33/1

Steven Gerrard — 33/1

Odds via Oddschecker.