Ole’s farewell interview

[Ixion]

I would love to have seen Steve Bruce's farewell interview at Newcastle.

This interview is quite touching but it again just demonstrates how differently Ole has been treated by the club than anyone else would have been. He's been handled with kids gloves and held to a different standard than any other manager would have been, no one else but a "legend" would have been allowed to limp on like he did. The club needs to come before any individual, that includes when judging candidates to manage us and sacking them.

 

[RUCK4444]

Yes, I expect us to win the league. 99% of our fans used to expect that, too.

Also, I'm not sure you know what "hate" means. I don't hate Ole. I think he's not a good manager. I'm not going to be a hypocrite and pretend he's a good one just because the correct decision was finally made.

When Ole took over we were worried about top four never mind winning premier leagues, this season, yes, we have the squad to challenge (that he built) and he’s failed this season, it’s the first season his momentum went backwards and he’s gone, so what’s wrong with that?

People talk as though we should have leapfrogged two of the best teams in Europe with the two best managers on planet Earth immediately upon his arrival.

Realistic fans didn’t expect it in his first or second season, third season yes, he hasn’t and he’s gone.

 

[united for life]

It's a joke.

Jesus Christ, don't take it seriously.

high on emotions here. No jokes

 

[subotai]

After watching the whole thing, I think Ole comes out of it very well.

He's a human being with interests that transcend money, status, and omg my team not winningest. We all want the team to do well, and Ole would make himself the main cheerleader. Sadly, he wasn't good enough and we are where we are

Ole is one of United's treasures. He should be remembered as such. All the juvenile and disrespectful posts I've seen on this forum make me think Utd fans are outnumbered here by oppo sleeper cells.

If half the people on the Caf displayed the same human qualities as Ole, the world might be a better place.

 

[b82REZ]

Eh?

A new manager could start work tomorrow and replace the whole squad. But that wouldn't change the fact this current squad is clearly miles better than the one we had back in 2018. Genuinely baffled how this is even a debate.

This was the team for the 2018 FA Cup final with most of the squad fit. A back 5 consisting of players Ferguson signed the best part of a decade before and only 3 Mourinho signings. And between them Van Gaal and Jose had spent around £500-600m to assemble that squad over 4 years.

Spoiler: 2018 team

Our defence isn't that much better, if at all actually seeing as we can't keep a clean sheet to save our lives.

Midfield is almost the same.

Ole has improved the look of the front line, if not the goals for column.

As I said his squad building is overrated and none of your "proof" has changed that opinion. 6 of that 11 are still at the club ffs and any changes have been slight improvements, if that in many cases.

Valencia and AwB pretty equal.

I was in the minority and thought Smalling was good, but his 80m replacement hasn't been that much of an improvement.

Ole did well getting Shaw to play well last season, but he was always better than Young but there was more to him being in that lineup than skill.

Varane is better than Jones.

Herrera is better than McFred.

So hardly the amazing squad turnaround that you're making out.

 

[AltiUn]

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Can't believe this thread.

As a side note, that Twitter page can feck off, they were some of the biggest culprits for his abuse while he was our manager.

 

[united for life]

After watching the whole thing, I think Ole comes out of it very well.

He's a human being with interests that transcend money, status, and omg my team not winningest. We all want the team to do well, and Ole would make himself the main cheerleader. Sadly, he wasn't good enough and we are where we are

Ole is one of United's treasures. He should be remembered as such. All the juvenile and disrespectful posts I've seen on this forum make me think Utd fans are outnumbered here by oppo sleeper cells.

If half the people on the Caf displayed the same human qualities as Ole, the world might be a better place.

great post

 

[BeltUp]

The end of that interview got me. I loved Ole from his first game as a player up to the present day and this season hasn't changed that. The man loves this club and has done a good job but it was time to go. Anybody who has insulted the bloke should hang their heads in shame if they consider themselves a United fan.

 

[Fts 74]

I can't understand the bitterness and name calling.

He wasn't good enough, it's over thankfully we move on, but he tried his absolute best and it hurts him clearly as he's a fan like us.

I think its a nice touch to do an interview like this, no hard feelings on his or the clubs side I really don't see the problem.

 

[Rusholme Ruffian]

Load of PR bullshit. I feel a bit sorry for Ole for being put in such an awkward position (a written statement would have been fine), but no doubt it is part of his severance package which he will have agreed to in return for lots and lots of undeserved money.

 

[Cassidy]

Explain then rather than just stating your opinion as fact. I've just given you multiple examples that show his squad building hasn't been all that great in the grand scheme of things that show it isn't "very clear it's a much improved squad."

Squad building hasn’t been all that, I did not disagree with did I?

 

[hellhunter]

Load of PR bullshit. I feel a bit sorry for Ole for being put in such an awkward position (a written statement would have been fine), but no doubt it is part of his severance package which he will have agreed to in return for lots and lots of undeserved money.

It was his wish.

 

[Duafc]

This is almost as bad as the Rittenhouse thread for totally braindead/offensive takes.

 

[mav_9me]

Just because I think Ole is not good enough to be our manager doesn't mean I love him any less.

Forever a United legend.

 

[Infra-red]

I hope he got an absolute boatload of cash from the Glaziers to do that interview.

Signed a new three-year contract just four months ago. He can probably retire off the pay-out that United will be forking over.

 

[Castia]

I’ve been Ole out and it’s the correct decision but I got a lump in my throat watching that interview

Club legend forever

 

[Woodzy]

Meh, whatever, a bit cringe but this is the end of it now. The guy loves the club and the club loves him so let’s just move on and wait and see what the next era brings.

 

[The Corinthian]

Love the man. A true gentleman to the last moment.

 

[The Hilton]

I’ve been Ole out and it’s the correct decision but I got a lump in my throat watching that interview

Club legend forever

Yeah that's pretty much where I'm at - he earned this season to have a go, came up short, and it was time to part ways.

But he managed the club with class, even when things were going south, a breath of fresh air compared to Mou throwing everyone under the bus to cover himself.

I'm just sad that it didn't work out for him here. Huge club legend and that will never change.

 

[Sandikan]

Lovely from Ole.

But could you imagine any other manager saying how they'd had a lovely time making some pals? Such a strange thing to do an interview anyway, but that was very unusual.

 

[OrcaFat]

He mostly did a good job. His biggest mistake was not surrounding himself with the expertise he lacked and delegating properly. A very big mistake, in fact a rookie mistake. He either didn’t recognise the problem or was too nice to replace the people he was relying on. He loves Carrick but didn’t get the help you need from your top coaches.

Shame he didn’t get more experience before he came here. He’s not young exactly but I think the big jobs mainly suit guys with a bit more experience than he had. Even then, probably not the best man for the job.

Probably the best work he did is invisible to those outside the club walls but will bear fruit for the next guy.

 

[Brophs]

I can honestly say I know what it’s like to have fallen short in work. Seems very few on here can empathise with that, or think that the money he earns means he deserves little sympathy for having woken up this morning feeling that the job he wanted more than any other has been lost for good.

 

[stevoc]

Our defence isn't that much better, if at all actually seeing as we can't keep a clean sheet to save our lives.

Midfield is almost the same.

Ole has improved the look of the front line, if not the goals for column.

As I said his squad building is overrated and none of your "proof" has changed that opinion. 6 of that 11 are still at the club ffs and any changes have been slight improvements, if that in many cases.

Valencia and AwB pretty equal.

I was in the minority and thought Smalling was good, but his 80m replacement hasn't been that much of an improvement.

Ole did well getting Shaw to play well last season, but he was always better than Young but there was more to him being in that lineup than skill.

Varane is better than Jones.

Herrera is better than McFred.

So hardly the amazing squad turnaround that you're making out.

Yeah Jones, Matic and Lingard are vital members of the first team squad.

Disagree with most of the rest of your post. You seem to be judging the entire squad based solely on current form.

 

[Cassidy]

As of Mourinho's departure and Ole's succession, our offensive talent consisted of:

- Alexis Sanchez
- Anthony Martial
- Romelu Lukaku
- Marcus Rashford
- Jesse Lingard

Our midfield talent consisted of:

- Nemanja Matic
- Scott McTominay
- Fred
- Paul Pogba
- Ander Herrera
- Marouane Fellaini

Now, even then, the offensive options are more plenteous in terms of quality than our midfield ones. It's blatantly obvious that the midfield area required the most immediate attention of the two. The forward options were well-stacked by comparison.

Ole came in and since then brought in the following attacking creative players. Ighalo, James, Cavani, Bruno (not a CM), VdB (Ole intended him for AM purposes and not CM, so not CM in this context), Cavani, Amad, Pellistri, Ronaldo, Sancho. That's ten players of an offensive positioning or nature.

How many actual CM's or DM's? Zero. Not even one. He even sold a regular CM in Herrera, so, we didn't even get a squad replacement for him.

He did invest in the defence, but I'm not convinced that if we get a progressive manager/coach to take over that he'll persist with AWB since he's a 50m defensively solid FB who isn't trusted in attacking phases, as evidenced by Ole even going to Trippier (who isn't obviously sitting on the bench).

We bought 2 CMs how Ole used them is not part of the debate.

Also I didn't say at anytime the squad building was great or that things couldn't have been done better. We absolutely should have bought a DM and another controlling midfielder in my opinion and still should. We also should have kept Herrera, not given out contracts to Jones etc

Our attacking options had no one who could play RW previously also.

The point is the squad today is much better than the one before. Today with 2 first team signings we should be serious contenders in all competitions, no way that could be said after Jose left.

 

[Hughie77]

Been said before the class UTD have as a club, other clubs lack.
Oles given an interview and fair play to him made the right noise now the rest can shut it now he's gone . Let's move on now .

 

[Rustyspider13]

I'm perplexed by some of the posts in this thread. Like, I mean, the man's left, just acknowledge that he tried his hardest even if he failed. It's basic human decency and the least that a legend like him deserves. And to the "too much sentimentality" crowds, of course there is sentimentality. I support a football team full of people, not pictures on a field. The human emotion will always be part of it. I'd say that is the biggest part of it. If we remove that, what is the point? I don't get rich by supporting United, the only benefit I get is emotional.

As for the interview, I thought it was classy by the club and by Ole. United will always put the people first. Even Woodward got that during the pandemic. The sense of community that the club gives is special, makes me forget just for a while that it is ultimately a massive corporation.

 

[Ixion]

I have never been convinced he should manage us, from the moment he got the job and handed out new contracts to a bunch of the old boys I thought alarm bells were ringing and then by the end of last season we were limping over the line and it looked like he had hit his ceiling.

But his limits as a manager will never diminish his legend at the club. After the trinity there is only a handful of players that could get statues outside Old Trafford and he is one.

 

[TrustInOle]

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Can't believe this thread.

Feck! The whole interview was a tough watch to be fair, yes he failed to bring this club success but he bleeds United as much as everyone of us and you can see the clear pain he has! Will love him always and would never disrespect a man for trying his best but ultimately not being the required standard!

Farewell Ole

 

[Tom Cato]

A man who cares deeply saying a second goodbye to a place he calls home, knowing full well the dream just slipped away mere hours ago.

I can't even imagine how hard it must be to sit there and talk about something so meaningful in past tense less than a day after it all ended. It's a fond farewell to one of the clubs great names.

 

[Desert Eagle]

Kinda rough seeing him emotional like that. He definitely cares, no ones that good an actor. All this negativity could have been avoided if our board was competent. Our problems continue to be mainly above the manager but at least now we get a much needed fresh start on the football side.

 

[MackRobinson]

Our online fanbase is genuinely pathetic, as evidenced by some of the posts in this thread. Undeserving of success.

Absolutely pathetic bunch of under socialized, basement dwellers. Usually people with nothing good going on their lives make posts like we‘ve seen in here.

 

[Lecland07]

Solskjaer is completely right: he is very lucky to have had the opportunity to manage Manchester United. It is a position that has only been held by 5 people in Premier League history.

On top of that, it is a highly paid job that will set you up for life.

He took an opportunity that, I doubt, he thought would ever come. An amazing opportunity that he managed to have for three years, which is longer than a lot of Premier League managers. He had a great time, despite never being good enough.

I understand his disappointment, but I don't feel sympathy. Sacking is a part of football and needs to be accepted. He had an amazing experience, even if it does end up killing off his top-tier management career.

 

[MUFromLTU]

Club legend!

His first 2 years were the only ones since SAF that had me waiting for weekends, I still don't believe it's his fault for our performances - but its 100% his fault for being too sentimental and sticking with his coaching staff instead of signing someone who actually knows what they are doing. Even at our worst performances he managed to motivate players at halftimes to fight until end, we never saw that from other managers but SAF.

I just hope whoever is the next manager adds new staff and all those new contracts to currenr coaches doesnt mean we are stuck with them any longer. I also really hope he can get some position in the club, working on transfers as he managed to persuade some of best signings we ever had in the time he was here and I really don't understand any arguments saying that he didn't improve our squad since he took on.

I promised to not buy any more merchandise or game tickets until Glazers are in charge but will order a shirt with his name tonight and frame it as a fond memory in my United room.

 

[mav_9me]

I can honestly say I know what it’s like to have fallen short in work. Seems very few on here can empathise with that, or think that the money he earns means he deserves little sympathy for having woken up this morning feeling that the job he wanted more than any other has been lost for good.

That's just the way it is man. Hope you are ok.

 

[Jam]

What’s done is done now. Stop dwelling and look forward to the future and how the club can step forward.

Ole is a legend and this doesn’t hurt his legacy at all. His reign included some good moments, he’s left the squad in a better place and changed the atmosphere of the club for the better.

Thanks Ole, and we wish you all the luck in your future endeavours and you’re always welcome to be involved with the club (just not in a coaching or managerial capacity….)

 

[NewGlory]

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This is so sad, because I don't know a real United supporter who didn't want him to succeed. It really sucks and hurts to see him gone. No two ways about it. That said, there is nobody who he can blame. He isn't even a bad manager, but his stubbornness in refusing to replace a clearly inadequate coaching staff and sticking with McFred, Shaw + Maguire even when those were playing horribly was the level of favoritism and weak leadership that couldn't have ended differently. Ole is the nicest person but his "loyalty" to friends and favorites ruined the chance of the lifetime he got. Pretty insane that he would allow this.

 

[b82REZ]

Squad building hasn’t been all that, I did not disagree with did I?

Its very clear its a much improved squad

What did you mean by this then is you agree his squad building hasn't been that great?

 

[MackRobinson]

Bite a lime.

Exhibit A

 

[Prodigy24]

Love Ole and it was a shame that it had to end like this. It was obvious that he had done what he could with this team, and that it was someone else's job to move the team forward. But our owners and the board are as incompetent as they come, and it looks like we'll be a mess for a while. Wish him nothing but the best in his life!

And what a weird video to make after a manager has been sacked.

 

[Golden Nugget]

The remit of every United manager since Fergie retired has been:

1. Get us back to the point where we can challenge at the top
2. Challenge at the top

Ole couldn't quite make it to number 2. But he's the only manager since 2013 who even came close to succeeding at number 1. For that alone, he leaves with a huge amount of credit.

It's a sad day that didn't work out all the way. But the wheels only started to come off against Villa on 25th September. Up until then, he gave me my faith back in United. Overall, his tenure has been good with the exception of a horrific few weeks at the end.

Maybe it's still too raw right now for a lot of fans to see the progress he's made. But in years to come, he'll be seen as the man who kick-started the post-Fergie era. We may never reach SAF's heights again. But any heights we do reach in the next decade will be because of foundations Ole built.

I agree with everything you’ve said here.

I’ve stayed out of all the obvious negative threads for a while now, and clicked on two today, which was this and the thanking Ole one - which made me disgusted with the people here, or United supporters in general. That said, I actually made an effort to go through all the pages in this one, bar the first two pages, where people were dismissive with their one liners, it’s generally been classy.