Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: I'd rather have a hole in Man Utd squad than 'an a***hole'

MyOnlySolskjaer

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During an interview with fanzine United We Stand this week, Solskjaer made it clear that he is only interested in keeping hold of players dedicated and willing to adapt to the ‘team environment’ he has created at the club. ‘I’d rather have a hole in the squad than an a**ehole. Personality is so important. We’re a team in a team environment,’ he told the publication. ‘You want players to have a bit of ego and edge but they have to be able to adapt.’

Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2020/05/21/id-r...manchester-united-flops-12735321/?ito=cbshare
 

Kostov

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He should probably stick more to his coaching and try to achieve something significant, something like finishing in the top 4 at least before mouthing off shit like this. As it stands he could be sacked by September and this will come to bite him on the ass.
 

Matriac

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I don't see anything wrong with the quote itself. It's maybe treading on the line, but still it seems to have been said in a joking manner to the fanzine. It's Metro that seems to have applied the quote to be about specific players.

If they were talking about a general approach to squadbuilding this is an attitude I think we'd all agree with, but the way it was said will rub some the wrong way. I just think that as a non-native English speaker it's the type of word-pun you would think of on the fly to add some banter.
 
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crossy1686

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He should probably stick more to his coaching and try to achieve something significant, something like finishing in the top 4 at least before mouthing off shit like this. As it stands he could be sacked by September and this will come to bite him on the ass.
Isn't that exactly what this is? If he had a team full of arseholes and there was talk of disharmony every weekend he'd be getting battered for it, and the results would suffer.

This is almost directly referring to Sanchez by the way, Solskjaer wanted him gone (and doesn't want him back) due to his attitude.
 

GaryLifo

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I've stayed largely out of threads about Ole during lockdown. I see people who don't like our manager are still being unreasonable and trying to find something wrong in everything he says.

When Ole is successful, as I think he will be, I'm looking forward to naming and shaming all the folk who have slated him along the way.
 

Ravelation

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The last time we had a manager who focused on having the right mentality of players in the squad was SAF. I'm in no way saying he can replicate what SAF did, but i'm genuinely happy at the prospect of having players at the club who deserve to be there.
 

dal

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Seriously what has Ole done wrong. He inherited an awful squad. He’s changing the attitude, he’s got then playing for him and he’s signed the right type of player.

If it wasn’t for Covid we’d probably have a champions league place sealed.

And I agree with what he’s said 100 percent. Nothing to see here.
 

buckooo1978

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I agree 100% on this - surprised some are annoyed/questioning it

the best teams have everyone pulling in the right direction

Sanchez was gassed partly due to his attitude (Mitten on Athletic yesterday) and we need people who will give everything for the shirt

sends a message to others - Di Maria for example came for the money and not the challenge
 

Red Comet

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Isn't that exactly what this is? If he had a team full of arseholes and there was talk of disharmony every weekend he'd be getting battered for it, and the results would suffer.

This is almost directly referring to Sanchez by the way, Solskjaer wanted him gone (and doesn't want him back) due to his attitude.
To be fair, I don't think he's making any direct reference to Sanchez. If anything, Ole has said on a few occasions earlier this year that Sanchez will "prove everyone wrong " and "positive future". It's unlikely he will slate Sanchez while he's not confirmed to be leaving yet.
 

dal

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The only person that worried me when he spoke was Evra. As soon as he spoke before a game I knew we wouldn’t win. :lol:
 

Nickelodeon

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Ole makes statements worthy of being spoken in an election campaign. Its not that what he's saying is incorrect, its that it is put in such a dramatic fashion that it becomes hard to take it seriously.
 

Conor

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He should probably stick more to his coaching and try to achieve something significant, something like finishing in the top 4 at least before mouthing off shit like this. As it stands he could be sacked by September and this will come to bite him on the ass.
Complete and utter nonsense. You should stick to doing some more critical thinking before mouthing off shit like this.
 

JJ12

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He should probably stick more to his coaching and try to achieve something significant, something like finishing in the top 4 at least before mouthing off shit like this. As it stands he could be sacked by September and this will come to bite him on the ass.
Exactly what you want to hear. Nor will he be sacked by September.
 

Adam-Utd

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Ole makes statements worthy of being spoken in an election campaign. Its not that what he's saying is incorrect, its that it is put in such a dramatic fashion that it becomes hard to take it seriously.
But if Klopp or Poch said it you'd be saying WHAT A GREAT MAN OMG SUCH A GOOD MANAGER OH WOW
 

ti vu

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Ole makes statements worthy of being spoken in an election campaign. Its not that what he's saying is incorrect, its that it is put in such a dramatic fashion that it becomes hard to take it seriously.
Have the same feeling.

What is defined an arsehole? Different person has different definition. Let's just look at our former players. Roy Keane, Paul Ince are considered arsehole by opposition fans. And at end of their career with us, it came to a point where their usefulness was overshadowed by their questionable character traits. It's not like they acted differently until the end, so if they're judged by their bad side alone from the get go, they wouldn't last as long as they did by strict definition. King Eric is no saint. He had a bumpy career, falling out with managers, teammates in his previous teams. Andy Cole and Teddy Sheringham treated each other as stranger yet still worked in a team...

It's all boiled down to the ability of genius SAF. So back to Ole, he has to show with result. That's all that matters. Many teams full of arseholes of a character achieved success.
 
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Lennon7

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He should probably stick more to his coaching and try to achieve something significant, something like finishing in the top 4 at least before mouthing off shit like this. As it stands he could be sacked by September and this will come to bite him on the ass.
Why? This doesn’t just apply to successful teams. Personality and dedication are two desirable traits for any squad
 

ti vu

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Why? This doesn’t just apply to successful teams. Personality and dedication are two desirable traits for any squad
How the managers judge players' character is his job, he should keep it to himself. There is no universal definition for what an arsehole should be for managers. Many arseholes were successful with different teams and managers.

Sounding out like this is like saying we're all good guys. Asking for trouble when unavoidable normal human conflict happens within the teams. ABU would have a field day after our white knights. Everyone leave after falling out of favor would now be an arsehole.
 

Striker10

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No problem with what he said. We all over analyse sometimes but it's such a difficult climate. When he came, yes we were boosted and our results you could argue couldn't be sustained. However, Ole understands about the fear factor. He's played and won at United under it's most successful manager. You need luck but I like our push towards youth as it makes sense. He's showing personality and a belief and he's not saying anything controversial. Is it directed at anyone specifically? Who knows but it's a shot across the bow.

I'm sure Ole would be quite happy to get rid of a number.......and maybe that's changed now or maybe it's the same but we cannot know that. But maybe Oles telling the board, I don't care just get rid. Of course when it don't happen you look silly but we don't work with the lads day to day. Maybe some of them, as supporters we wouldn't like every much....So he can say what he wants.I would trust someone THERE trying to manage the club then anyone else.
 

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The problem at this club is, post Ferguson managers really don't know their place. They all think they're god's own gift to Manchester United, without having achieved anything of note in their role.

The vast majority of players already at this club would end up at a higher calibre of club if they were put on the market, than Solskjaer would if he made himself available. That's his value as a football manager, relative to the players he's got the privilege of coaching. Up until he does anything of note to change that (like Klopp and Guardiola have done).
 

11101

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He should probably stick more to his coaching and try to achieve something significant, something like finishing in the top 4 at least before mouthing off shit like this. As it stands he could be sacked by September and this will come to bite him on the ass.
There is absolutely zero chance he will be sacked by September. The players love him, the fans love him, and there's a genuine feeling that we are finally getting good again.
 

andersj

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During an interview with fanzine United We Stand this week, Solskjaer made it clear that he is only interested in keeping hold of players dedicated and willing to adapt to the ‘team environment’ he has created at the club. ‘I’d rather have a hole in the squad than an a**ehole. Personality is so important. We’re a team in a team environment,’ he told the publication. ‘You want players to have a bit of ego and edge but they have to be able to adapt.’

Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2020/05/21/id-r...manchester-united-flops-12735321/?ito=cbshare
Wow, when first reading this I never imagined thatit would create much debate.

Guess the a**holes feel left out and are jumping to their own defence.
 

Red00012

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He should probably stick more to his coaching and try to achieve something significant, something like finishing in the top 4 at least before mouthing off shit like this. As it stands he could be sacked by September and this will come to bite him on the ass.
Wow. Just wow.
 

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But if Klopp or Poch said it you'd be saying WHAT A GREAT MAN OMG SUCH A GOOD MANAGER OH WOW
If Klopp had been saying this right now, Liverpool fans would be gushing over the decisiveness and all of us would be cringing like we've done over his other similar gestures/statements.

If Ole had won something and proclaimed that he went with the strategy of "Having a hole but not an a**ehole", it would make sense. Right now, it just feels like empty hollow headline-worthy words, because if we were to not win Europa and finish outside top 4, he's extremely likely to be sacked. So making big statements when he himself hasn't performed miracles doesn't seem very pragmatic.
 

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He should probably stick more to his coaching and try to achieve something significant, something like finishing in the top 4 at least before mouthing off shit like this. As it stands he could be sacked by September and this will come to bite him on the ass.
Why would this will come to bite him on the ass? He's just saying the truth, no manager wants an a***hole which is crucial to achieve his goal. You got some issue.
 

El Zoido

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What’s the problem here? He’s totally right and it’s good to hear him say it. Because ever since Fergie left we’ve had Woody playing Championship manager and buying square pegs for round holes and the previous three managers seemed more than happy to go along with it.
 

sveisa

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Ole will do anything for the team, even getting a colostomy bag.
 

JPRouve

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While I share the sentiment and believe that the team and overall chemistry is everything. Ole should be careful with the way he is sets the narrative, he should go with less tabloid worthy quotes, things that won't be used against him or a player at a later date in a totally different context.
 

ti vu

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Why would this will come to bite him on the ass? He's just saying the truth, no manager wants an a***hole which is crucial to achieve his goal. You got some issue.
Because he made a preemptively statement to the public that he's building a perfect harmonious team. Anyone leave on bad term is an arsehole.

That's something I don't see any managers do. Sure, managers fall out with players all the time. They even trade not so nice word on TV, taking a swipe at each other. It all just ended at where it's just implication. Managers can still work with arseholes in the team all the time. They love their arsehole, until it stinks up the place and need to be fixed. It's their job to make it work, and kick the bad apples out without selling out the full identity to the press, inviting more unwanted attention from the tabloids.
 
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Adam-Utd

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If Klopp had been saying this right now, Liverpool fans would be gushing over the decisiveness and all of us would be cringing like we've done over his other similar gestures/statements.

If Ole had won something and proclaimed that he went with the strategy of "Having a hole but not an a**ehole", it would make sense. Right now, it just feels like empty hollow headline-worthy words, because if we were to not win Europa and finish outside top 4, he's extremely likely to be sacked. So making big statements when he himself hasn't performed miracles doesn't seem very pragmatic.
That is not going to happen whether you like it or not.

While it happened to LVG there was more to it than that, the football was dreadfully boring and he didn't get the recruitment right.

Mourinho doesn't really need explaining, the guy was a nutjob.

Solskjaer has obviously had his struggles at points this season, but the longterm injuries to his 2 best players have to be taken into account (and the general lack of class in the squad).

Since we got Bruno we've suddenly looked 10x better and that's no surprise as we've needed a proper number 10 for ages. Pereira/Mata just don't cut it.

We've been making forward steps under Ole and the players/Woodward seem very happy, so he will get another season no problem.
 

macheda14

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If Klopp had been saying this right now, Liverpool fans would be gushing over the decisiveness and all of us would be cringing like we've done over his other similar gestures/statements.

If Ole had won something and proclaimed that he went with the strategy of "Having a hole but not an a**ehole", it would make sense. Right now, it just feels like empty hollow headline-worthy words, because if we were to not win Europa and finish outside top 4, he's extremely likely to be sacked. So making big statements when he himself hasn't performed miracles doesn't seem very pragmatic.
Or, and hear me out here, you’re applying way too much importance to what he is saying. It isn’t exactly a big statement, nor should it really be news. It’s news just because it’s quite a nice sounding sound bite. It only confirms what we’ve been thinking in that he places importance in signing good personalities.

The amount of times people say they wish people would be quiet and do their talking on the pitch is insufferable. They’re being interviewed, they’re going to say words. Would you prefer Ole doesn’t do an interview with a united fanzine or when he does he gives vague political answers?
 

crossy1686

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To be fair, I don't think he's making any direct reference to Sanchez. If anything, Ole has said on a few occasions earlier this year that Sanchez will "prove everyone wrong " and "positive future". It's unlikely he will slate Sanchez while he's not confirmed to be leaving yet.
Andy Mitten, the bloke who owns the fanzine Solskajer spoke to for this interview, spoke yesterday on a podcast and pretty much mentioned this and followed it up with "and that's why Sanchez was allowed to leave for Inter".

Then said that it looks as though he'll be coming back because he hasn't been great at Inter and they don't want to extend the loan. Also mentioned that Sanchez and Greenwood had a bust up in training which prompted Solskajer to move him on.
 

crossy1686

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While I share the sentiment and believe that the team and overall chemistry is everything. Ole should be careful with the way he is sets the narrative, he should go with less tabloid worthy quotes, things that won't be used against him or a player at a later date in a totally different context.
Isn't team chemistry down to the individuals in that team? If everyone's an arsehole and looking out for their best interests then the chemistry will be poor. The interview states that he wants players who are pulling in the same direction but have a bit of ego about them, akin to what the attitude was like around the time he was in the playing squad. The kind of players he's looking to sign have to have that mentality.
 

crossy1686

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If Klopp had been saying this right now, Liverpool fans would be gushing over the decisiveness and all of us would be cringing like we've done over his other similar gestures/statements.

If Ole had won something and proclaimed that he went with the strategy of "Having a hole but not an a**ehole", it would make sense. Right now, it just feels like empty hollow headline-worthy words, because if we were to not win Europa and finish outside top 4, he's extremely likely to be sacked. So making big statements when he himself hasn't performed miracles doesn't seem very pragmatic.
I'm willing to bet you any amount of money Solskjaer isn't sacked if this happens.
 

JPRouve

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Isn't team chemistry down to the individuals in that team? If everyone's an arsehole and looking out for their best interests then the chemistry will be poor. The interview states that he wants players who are pulling in the same direction but have a bit of ego about them, akin to what the attitude was like around the time he was in the playing squad. The kind of players he's looking to sign have to have that mentality.
Regarding your question, no team chemistry is something that you work on, it's as much about the club, its hierarchy and its ability to influence players and staff positively than it is about individuals. As for the rest, I don't think that you read my post properly, I said that I share Ole's sentiment but that he needs to be careful with the way he interacts with the press, he just gave them the opportunity to turn all his personnel decisions into a soap opera.