Regarding Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s connection to the opening at the Stadium of Light, Carlton Palmer offers his opinion.
Beale was dismissed after only 12 games in charge at the Stadium of Light, taking over from Tony Mowbray in December. During his tenure, the team won just four matches, leading to their slip out of playoff contention.
Mike Dodds was appointed as interim manager until the end of the season to stabilize the team’s performance before the appointment of a new permanent manager. However, recent results have not been favorable, causing concern among supporters in the north-east.
Names such as Paul Heckingbottom, Will Still, and Danny Röhl are reportedly being considered for the managerial position. Additionally, former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has emerged as a familiar name on the list of favorites according to bookmakers’ odds.
Palmer: Solskjaer ‘would be a good recruitment’ for Sunderland
Since departing from Old Trafford in 2021, the Norwegian has been out of work. His three-year tenure with Manchester United ended due to a string of defeats at the start of the 2021/2022 campaign.
The 51-year-old is renowned for his iconic Champions League-winning goal in the 1999 final against Bayern Munich. He previously managed Molde in his homeland, securing two national league titles. However, his stint with Cardiff City in 2014 was less successful.
Despite his recent absence from managerial roles, former Sheffield Wednesday player Carlton Palmer believes that the ‘Baby Faced Assassin’ could be the solution to Sunderland’s challenges in the upcoming season.
In an exclusive interview with FLW, Palmer expressed his opinion, stating, “Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been without work since his departure from Manchester United in 2021, where he served as manager for three years.”
Palmer highlighted that Solskjaer’s availability would not incur any compensation costs for Sunderland. He emphasized the importance of whether Solskjaer would be open to the constraints Sunderland operates under, such as signing relatively inexperienced young players for modest fees with the intention of selling them for significant profits.
Despite these considerations, Palmer believes that Solskjaer, who is eager to return to management, might see Sunderland as an attractive opportunity due to the club’s stature.
Sunderland’s record-breaking achievement during the 23/24 Championship season
In recent years, Sunderland has gained recognition for its commitment to developing young players, regardless of age, and providing them with ample Championship-level experience.
Jack Clarke serves as a notable example of this approach, having already made over 80 appearances for the club at the age of 23. His impressive performances have led to speculation linking him with £20 million moves to several Premier League clubs.
Another illustration is 16-year-old Chriss Rigg, who became the youngest goalscorer in the club’s history earlier in the season during a League Cup match against Crewe Alexandra.
Consistently fielding the youngest average age of a starting XI in the Championship, Sunderland set a record for the youngest-ever starting lineup with an average age of 21.0 years earlier in the campaign, albeit in a 4-2 defeat to Southampton.
For Solskjaer, integrating young players into the squad is familiar territory. He achieved recognition by equaling Sir Matt Busby’s record of providing first-team debuts to eight Manchester United players during the 2019/2020 season, demonstrating his readiness to give youth opportunities when in charge.
The Mackems have a history of successful loan spells with players from Manchester United, as demonstrated by Amad Diallo’s productive season in the north-east during the previous campaign. Palmer suggests that if Solskjaer were to take on the role, this connection could be revitalized.
“I believe Solskjaer would be a beneficial appointment for Sunderland, especially considering his ties to Manchester United. This association could facilitate the recruitment of young players on loan to the club,” Palmer stated.
He further emphasized the potential success of such a strategy, citing Tony Mowbray’s achievement in guiding the team to the playoffs last season. Palmer believes that with the right blend of young talents and experienced players, Sunderland could excel.