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Molde director reveals when Man Utd chief made official Ole Gunnar Solskjaer approach
MANCHESTER UNITED chief Ed Woodward only told Molde on Wednesday they wanted to appoint Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on a permanent basis.
Man United job is 'truly an honour' says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
That is the revelation coming from the Norwegian club today as Molde begin life without Solskjaer.
Solskjaer was this morning confirmed as the permanent boss of Manchester United.
He has signed a three-year contract, having impressed during a three-month stint as interim manager at Old Trafford.
It has been reported that Molde will earn £8m in compensation for Solskjaer’s permanent departure.
Ole Gunnar communicated this to us today. He confirmed that it was true
The club had expected their manager to return in May once the Premier League season was over.
But Molde director Øystein Neerland says that is in fact not the case as he revealed the discussions he had with United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.
“It has been speculated that there has been such an agreement, but it is not correct,” Neerland told Norwegian media outlet VG.
“We get a compensation, but there is a case between the clubs.”
++ MAN UTD APPOINT SOLSKJAER ON PERMANENT DEAL ++
Neerland then revealed he received a call from Woodward on Wednesday - and only spoke to Solskjaer this morning.
“I have had contact with Edward yesterday and today,” he said.
“Then Ole Gunnar communicated this to us today. He confirmed that it was true.”
On dialogue with Manchester United, he added: “We have agreed that Ole Gunnar had an agreement with United for the summer, so we have not discussed this to any great extent until now.
“We have had somebody talk about it since he got the offer for the permanent job.”
VG then asked Neerland how he felt about Solskjaer landing the job at Old Trafford on a full-time basis.
“It is first and foremost fantastic,” he said.
“It is impressive by Ole Gunnar to be in a situation where it is possible to get such a good offer.
“For us as a club it is good to get a clarification.
“When we finish this day here, I don't have to comment on United rumours and can concentrate 100 percent on Molde Football Club.
Indeed, focus for Neerland now turns to Molde manager Erling Moe, who will lead the club into the new Norwegian top-flight season, which starts this weekend.
“We will continue with Erling Moe as head coach,” he said.
“The rest of the support has been in place for many months.
“The deal was that he would be the head coach until the day Ole returned. Now Ole isn’t come back.
“This means that Erling continues as head coach.
“He has an agreement that expires in 2019, but we will now make assessments if we are to extend it.”