Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Jim Solbakken

UnofficialDevil

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Probably deserves a thread of its own in a Man United forum as it has on other non United forums such as reddit.

Not taking sides here just thought it deserves a thread of its own. Maybe any Norwegian posters on here know more.

Apparently Ole Gunnar Solskjaers agent is Jim Solbakken and Atta Aneke is Jim Solbakkens business partner.
At Cardiff Ole signed 7 players managed by Solbakken and at Molde he signed 6 players managed by Solbakken and 4 managed by Atta Aneke.
Josh King was a Solbakken client and Ighalo is an Atta Aneke client.
 
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Snow

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I'd prefer you'd provide more details and sources if you are to make a thread to alludes to corruption.
 

Cliche Guevara

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You’d like to think that would make doing business much easier.

I don’t suppose either has a published client list and if so there are many top class players on it.

Without knowing which players are on their books I’m not sure what we’re supposed to do with this topic.
 

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Probably deserves a thread of its own in a Man United forum as it has on other non United forums such as reddit.

Not taking sides here just thought it deserves a thread of its own. Maybe any Norwegian posters on here know more.

Apparently Ole Gunnar Solskjaers agent is Jim Solbakken and Atta Aneke is Jim Solbakkens business partner.
At Cardiff Ole signed 7 players managed by Solbakken and at Molde he signed 6 players managed by Solbakken and 4 managed by Atta Aneke.
Josh King who we wanted to sign is a Solbakken client and Ighalo is an Atta Aneke client.
Are they definitely players that were under always under his management and not just that he’s a trusted agent that has worked as an intermediary for Solskjaaer?
 

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At the very least it raises further questions about the effectiveness of our scouting network
 

Snow

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You’re an admin?
Because I'm asking for better content? What am I to do with this information? Apparently this thing happened but according to whom? This is gossip as far as I'm concerned. At least put some effort in.

I haven't mentioned or implied corruption. I also stated "apparently" opening the paragraph, asking for more info from anybody including Norwegians who might know more.
I said alluding to corruption. How is this thread anything but? You're not providing any real information here, just something that starts with 'apparently'. Apparently according to whom then? Who are these players that had Solbakken or his wife as agents?
 

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Well it fits in with Ole wanting players he knows and can trust
 

UnofficialDevil

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I'm not anti Scottish, I just wanted Moyes out.
Because I'm asking for better content? What am I to do with this information? Apparently this thing happened but according to whom? This is gossip as far as I'm concerned. At least put some effort in.


I said alluding to corruption. How is this thread anything but? You're not providing any real information here, just something that starts with 'apparently'. Apparently according to whom then? Who are these players that had Solbakken or his wife as agents?
There's some more info here
http://josimarfootball.com/the-double-agent/
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...flict-of-interest-over-cardiff-buys-lsgcpv26b

But like I said Im not taking sides, its just a thread to chat about info/rumors that are circulating on the internet
 
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I heard this on the Transfer Window podcast - didn't know about it before. But apparently there was a story about this in the Norwegian press that Solbakken tried to get canceled (or an injunction, whatever legal instrument applies), but it's still there.

I think they said he bought loads of players in January for Cardiff when they were up against it, and they hardly played for the rest of the season. And they of course got relegated.

It's not in and of itself a bad thing to buy players represented by your own agent. I'm sure it happens a lot. Certainly has with Mourinho (Mendes). But Ole and Solbakken were business partners and then Ole had to sell his shares (according to Castles, which is probably according to the original Norwegian article).

The problem with this is that the level of players he's gone after who are associated with Solbakken or his business partners, is far below what a club like United should be trying to acquire. It doesn't have to be corruption - not sure why people are getting all sensitive here. It can also show that Ole hasn't got any serious reach when recruiting players and goes back to the average bunch he's connected to through a shared agent. Both Ighalo and King are in that network.

This thread certainly needs no justification.
 

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It’s all a bit odd. There’s someone desperate to push the story out on Twitter, and spreading big jumps of faith to reach his conclusions.

annie Eaves is actually researching it and it calling him out, and the guy is ignoring the request for actual information point blank.

and also then slagging off anyone who tries to let her speak or ask the questions..
 

momo83

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Probably deserves a thread of its own in a Man United forum as it has on other non United forums such as reddit.

Not taking sides here just thought it deserves a thread of its own. Maybe any Norwegian posters on here know more.

Apparently Ole Gunnar Solskjaers agent is Jim Solbakken and Atta Aneke is Jim Solbakkens business partner.
At Cardiff Ole signed 7 players managed by Solbakken and at Molde he signed 6 players managed by Solbakken and 4 managed by Atta Aneke.
Josh King was a Solbakken client and Ighalo is an Atta Aneke client.
Glad someone raised this. Heard something about a talent academy that Ole had with his agent where they would get the best players then sell them to foreign clubs at a young when the players were clearly not ready for it and thus putting profit before the players playing career first. It’s interesting that Halaand who played under Ole choose not to join Ole.

There’s also another player represented by Ole’s agent who had not one but several rape allegations and Ole played him as captain. I believe in innocent until proven guilty so can’t fault Ole on that, even if once 1 become more I would have given the player a paid rest. But what is despicable and shows the type of people Ole will surround himself with is that that agent moved the player out of the country to avoid prosecution and then arrest by Interpol
 

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This is actually a lot more interesting than I first thought. @Snow how about this for something tangible: Solskjaer's invisible fortune

Seems it's a tax fraud scheme. Whereas in some places it's only highly unethical but still legit, in Norway it's not just unethical but also illegal to not declare all your assets. And at the same time he's promoting the values of the Scandinavian social democratic model...
 

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You know what is the funniest thing though? Ed Woodward is the one who overlooks all of this. He is the one who can say yes or no and he seems to be okay with it since Ole seems to have more connections and saved his and our arse by at least getting a striker on deadline day regardless of how bad he is to some people.

It tells me that this is allowed to happen and Ed is okay with it purely because Ed isn't capable of doing anything better.
 

momo83

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You know what is the funniest thing though? Ed Woodward is the one who overlooks all of this. He is the one who can say yes or no and he seems to be okay with it since Ole seems to have more connections and saved his and our arse by at least getting a striker on deadline day regardless of how bad he is to some people.

It tells me that this is allowed to happen and Ed is okay with it purely because Ed isn't capable of doing anything better.
Got Rashford injured and then saved us by getting us a 4th rate striker.
 

Paul_Scholes18

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People who say Ole cares more about the club than making money should look at these things.
Work with this agent that makes money even on players who break the law and run away from it.
 

Relevated

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Got Rashford injured and then saved us by getting us a 4th rate striker.
So whys he still our manager if he's so abysmal? Who's fault is it? Solskjaer can be fired in the morning but Ole and woody are covering each others arses it seems.
 

momo83

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So whys he still our manager if he's so abysmal? Who's fault is it? Solskjaer can be fired in the morning but Ole and woody are covering each others arses it seems.
Pretty certain he’ll be fired and remembered as the worse manager in our history
 

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People who say Ole cares more about the club than making money should look at these things.
Work with this agent that makes money even on players who break the law and run away from it.
I originally thought he was just a true professional who was not motivated by the money here, only the love of the club. Fair to say that was a bit naive :wenger:

His golden boy image is fading.
 

passing-wind

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Pretty certain he’ll be fired and remembered as the worse manager in our history
Rightly so absolute rancid appointment. Solskjaer is lucky that his playing legacy isn't tarnished due to the extent of his influence during the late 90's.
 

momo83

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Rightly so absolute rancid appointment. Solskjaer is lucky that his playing legacy isn't tarnished due to the extent of his influence during the late 90's.
Exactly really was a stupid appointment. I’d have understood as a gamble if SAF retired in 2011 and Ole was still youth manager or whatever.. it would have been similar to Barca taking a chance on Pep but without realising that United are not set up like Barca and the man retiring was there for almost 30 years.

But hiring him permanently after he failed so miserably at Cardiff and had showed that his flaws were those that could not be redeemed by experience was as incompetent as him. He’ll forever be a legend of a player for us but is quickly becoming a legend of a manager for our rival fans.
 

Paul_Scholes18

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I originally thought he was just a true professional who was not motivated by the money here, only the love of the club. Fair to say that was a bit naive :wenger:

His golden boy image is fading.
Yeah it is hard to know though. There are players and managers that have not looked to be mainly driven by money.
Although for most it is a big factor.
I can't think of too many great examples anymore though when it comes to loyality from modern player rather than money and glory.
I do think TAA look like a pure football lad with great heart to just play football for Liverpool.
Although he is playing for a great club though so that makes things easier. I could see him being a legend there like Gerrard in the end, but sadly with more PL titles.
Mctominay a bit for us or could be one, but if someone offers him more money who knows. Still think we will keep him for a long time.
Kane might be the best example though. Most bigger teams would want him and he would deserve more money than he gets.
Still staying at Spurs. He will be a Spurs legend for sure.

We have some managers like Howe, Wilder etc who have managed their sides for a long time too from lower leagues.
Although might not have got better offers to be fair. Dyche too I should mention.
Often it is the clubs that sack the managers rather than the other way around.
Although Pep falls under the greedy manager cathegory with little loyality and moves on to more money and titles.
Think Howe might the manager having been in his job the longest now in the PL.
 

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Is this the Ole out wankathon thread full of dipshits and dickheads?

So if true, a man who specialised in managing norwegian talent, probably gets the top norwegian talent on his books, has players sign for one of the top teams in the norwegian league and suddnely its all corrupt?

Believe it or not, business is about connections and ensuring that you get the top talent at the lowest possible price. Its called fecking networking you clowns. You want to beat Ole with a stick, go find a stick worth beating him with. Or does Mourinho signing 4-5 Raiola players in his first two seasons at United get lost on you muppets.
 

momo83

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Is this the Ole out wankathon thread full of dipshits and dickheads?

So if true, a man who specialised in managing norwegian talent, probably gets the top norwegian talent on his books, has players sign for one of the top teams in the norwegian league and suddnely its all corrupt?

Believe it or not, business is about connections and ensuring that you get the top talent at the lowest possible price. Its called fecking networking you clowns. You want to beat Ole with a stick, go find a stick worth beating him with. Or does Mourinho signing 4-5 Raiola players in his first two seasons at United get lost on you muppets.
Calm down before you burst a blood vessel
 

Bastian

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Yeah it is hard to know though. There are players and managers that have not looked to be mainly driven by money.
Although for most it is a big factor.
I can't think of too many great examples anymore though when it comes to loyality from modern player rather than money and glory.
I do think TAA look like a pure football lad with great heart to just play football for Liverpool.
Although he is playing for a great club though so that makes things easier. I could see him being a legend there like Gerrard in the end, but sadly with more PL titles.
Mctominay a bit for us or could be one, but if someone offers him more money who knows. Still think we will keep him for a long time.
Kane might be the best example though. Most bigger teams would want him and he would deserve more money than he gets.
Still staying at Spurs. He will be a Spurs legend for sure.

We have some managers like Howe, Wilder etc who have managed their sides for a long time too from lower leagues.
Although might not have got better offers to be fair. Dyche too I should mention.
Often it is the clubs that sack the managers rather than the other way around.
Although Pep falls under the greedy manager cathegory with little loyality and moves on to more money and titles.
Think Howe might the manager having been in his job the longest now in the PL.
You can only really judge those who have had the opportunity to turn down big money moves. Kane is certainly an example. I'm not precious about this as such - I think the huge money players start earning at a young age now has completely changed the game and the attitude within it. But I do think tax dodging is over the line, and more hypocritical when you have a very clean image.
 

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It’s all a bit odd. There’s someone desperate to push the story out on Twitter, and spreading big jumps of faith to reach his conclusions.

Annie Eaves is actually researching it and it calling him out, and the guy is ignoring the request for actual information point blank.

and also then slagging off anyone who tries to let her speak or ask the questions..
I know this comes across as somewhat trivial in the grand scheme of things but Annie Eaves deserves more followers on Twitter.
 

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I’m fairly sure Fergie had agents he preferred to work with and some of them were probably his mates. In fact, in Michael Crick’s book he alleges that SAF tried to push a couple of young players (Mark Wilson and Jon Greening maybe?) to sign on with his son Jason, whose agency ended up getting into some bother about its dealings with United’s. I think the club had to end its relationship with the agency if I’m not mistaken
 

Snow

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This is actually a lot more interesting than I first thought. @Snow how about this for something tangible: Solskjaer's invisible fortune

Seems it's a tax fraud scheme. Whereas in some places it's only highly unethical but still legit, in Norway it's not just unethical but also illegal to not declare all your assets. And at the same time he's promoting the values of the Scandinavian social democratic model...
I can't take much from that article, especially with the context of OP. They spend a few lines that's supposed to sum up the Norwegian tax system and then only write a few lines on Solskjær's finances despite, according to them, should have access to 3 years of them. I'd expect the whole article be about his taxes but it's only a small part of the article. Doesn't tell me much. I don't like how vague the article is written. Fore example:
Documents in Josimar’s possession also show bank transfers amounting to millions of pounds from Dynamic Solution AS, a company Solskjær co-owned with his agent and best friend Jim Solbakken, to a company in Guernsey.
They use past tense here, and before they mentioned that he sold his stake in 2008 yet they don't mention when this bank transfer happened. I'm assuming it happened after Solskjær's part in it because they used past tense but that didn't stop them from hanging his name onto it despite him having nothing to do with it.

To me this source sounds impartial because it actively wants to uncover something but the write vaguely, use misdirection and don't provide sources or facts.

There's some more info here
http://josimarfootball.com/the-double-agent/
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...flict-of-interest-over-cardiff-buys-lsgcpv26b

But like I said Im not taking sides, its just a thread to chat about info/rumors that are circulating on the internet
I don't doubt there's any nepotism at stake, I just want proof when people assume maliciousness. Already comments have assumed the worst because of the ambiguity in OP which is something I assumed would happen.
 

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I’m fairly sure Fergie had agents he preferred to work with and some of them were probably his mates. In fact, in Michael Crick’s book he alleges that SAF tried to push a couple of young players (Mark Wilson and Jon Greening maybe?) to sign on with his son Jason, whose agency ended up getting into some bother about its dealings with United’s. I think the club had to end its relationship with the agency if I’m not mistaken
I think you're right - and we also had the nightmare scenario of the Rock of Gibraltar, to the detriment of the club. The difference here though is that Ole has no redeeming qualities as a manager, not that I want to engage in whataboutism.
 

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Is this the Ole out wankathon thread full of dipshits and dickheads?

So if true, a man who specialised in managing norwegian talent, probably gets the top norwegian talent on his books, has players sign for one of the top teams in the norwegian league and suddnely its all corrupt?

Believe it or not, business is about connections and ensuring that you get the top talent at the lowest possible price. Its called fecking networking you clowns. You want to beat Ole with a stick, go find a stick worth beating him with. Or does Mourinho signing 4-5 Raiola players in his first two seasons at United get lost on you muppets.
Agree.
I'm a 'Ole-out' as much as the next guy but this is all,until much finer details come out where they truly are damaging to the individuals involved, a fecking reach.
 

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I’m fairly sure Fergie had agents he preferred to work with and some of them were probably his mates. In fact, in Michael Crick’s book he alleges that SAF tried to push a couple of young players (Mark Wilson and Jon Greening maybe?) to sign on with his son Jason, whose agency ended up getting into some bother about its dealings with United’s. I think the club had to end its relationship with the agency if I’m not mistaken
One word. Bebe (for 8million :houllier:)
 

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People who say Ole cares more about the club than making money should look at these things.
Work with this agent that makes money even on players who break the law and run away from it.
How can you say that? And because of what?

Who has Ole brought or tried to buy thats a client of Solbakken since he has arrived?

I'll make it easy for you, none.

Atta, the agent of Ighalo and Jim Solbakken was accused of working together in 2014 regarding the sale of Anders Lindegaard to United, but the Norwegian "FA" cleared the case. Thats the only connection they've had. And the rule of representing two parties, which was the case in question here is legal in the Premier League, but not in Norway. So either way, it wouldnt be a case here.

Alot, alot of things has been posted here that are false and misinformation.

Why is Josh King being mentioned by the OP?? It's 4 years since he was represented by Jim Solbakken. He switched to Danny Welbecks brother as an agent. When we tried to buy king, it had nothing to do with Jim Solbakken and OGS relationship..


Its just misleading and dangerous. When making a posts like this, atleast have the facts straight!
 
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Bastian

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I can't take much from that article, especially with the context of OP. They spend a few lines that's supposed to sum up the Norwegian tax system and then only write a few lines on Solskjær's finances despite, according to them, should have access to 3 years of them. I'd expect the whole article be about his taxes but it's only a small part of the article. Doesn't tell me much. I don't like how vague the article is written. Fore example:

They use past tense here, and before they mentioned that he sold his stake in 2008 yet they don't mention when this bank transfer happened. I'm assuming it happened after Solskjær's part in it because they used past tense but that didn't stop them from hanging his name onto it despite him having nothing to do with it.

To me this source sounds impartial because it actively wants to uncover something but the write vaguely, use misdirection and don't provide sources or facts.


I don't doubt there's any nepotism at stake, I just want proof when people assume maliciousness. Already comments have assumed the worst because of the ambiguity in OP which is something I assumed would happen.
They go on to show that his assets somehow decreased dramatically when he moved back to Norway. They show that he's a client of a financial service institute that is basically creating shell companies. Neither he nor the company wants to address this. I find this sufficient grounds to suspect foul play.
 

Snow

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They go on to show that his assets somehow decreased dramatically when he moved back to Norway. They show that he's a client of a financial service institute that is basically creating shell companies. Neither he nor the company wants to address this. I find this sufficient grounds to suspect foul play.
I don't find that suspect. If anyone would ask me about my finances I wouldn't tell them and I'm not hiding anything. They did give an answer according to a Norwegian report (I can read Norwegian). It said that the figures given to the Norwegian government were indeed correct.

Shell company isn't automatically something illegal. It's certainly known for that but that's not all it does. You can suspect foul play all you want, it won't get you anywhere. The Norwegian government can do something about it but the conservative government has not done anything to take down a high-profile member of the opposition for illegal activities. Maybe they tried and failed because it's complicated, maybe it's an ongoing process but I doubt it since there are no reports about it. Rather that they haven't tried. Either way I don't care as I don't pay taxes in Norway and it has nothing to do with United or their business and as far as I know Solbakken won't have anything to do with United's transfers as his clients are pretty much all Norwegian and not of the greatest talent. Solbakken might be dirty as they come but that doesn't have to translate to Solskjær being nefarious.

But ultimately these are football transfers. I assume all of them are not buy the books. Agents are the shady middlemen for clubs tapping up players. Sir Alex has been accused of this, probably all of the managers in the 90's did it and I don't see what should have changed really.
 

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I don't find that suspect. If anyone would ask me about my finances I wouldn't tell them and I'm not hiding anything. They did give an answer according to a Norwegian report (I can read Norwegian). It said that the figures given to the Norwegian government were indeed correct.

Shell company isn't automatically something illegal. It's certainly known for that but that's not all it does. You can suspect foul play all you want, it won't get you anywhere. The Norwegian government can do something about it but the conservative government has not done anything to take down a high-profile member of the opposition for illegal activities. Maybe they tried and failed because it's complicated, maybe it's an ongoing process but I doubt it since there are no reports about it. Rather that they haven't tried. Either way I don't care as I don't pay taxes in Norway and it has nothing to do with United or their business and as far as I know Solbakken won't have anything to do with United's transfers as his clients are pretty much all Norwegian and not of the greatest talent. Solbakken might be dirty as they come but that doesn't have to translate to Solskjær being nefarious.

But ultimately these are football transfers. I assume all of them are not buy the books. Agents are the shady middlemen for clubs tapping up players. Sir Alex has been accused of this, probably all of the managers in the 90's did it and I don't see what should have changed really.
Could you please link that report - I'm interested. Also, the difference between you and Ole being asked, is of course what you go on to say yourself, a high-profile individual - in the public spotlight. Cheers.