Ole Gunnar Solskjaer backed to land new job with three other Man United icons among favourites

Manchester United icon Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be on the verge of returning to football management with the Republic of Ireland national team.

Having previously been as far out of the running as 80/1 with bookmakers Betfair, Solskjaer has shot up the odds in recent days and he is now the overwhelming favourite at 3/10. Speaking on the Norwegian's surge to become a favourite for the job in Ireland, Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom said: "Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the new 3/10 favourite to be the next Republic of Ireland manager, with punters backing the former Man United boss in from odds of 80/1.

"Steve Bruce trails Solskjaer at 7/2, having also been backed in from 80/1, with John O’Shea 10/1 and Roy Keane 14/1 contenders to succeed Stephen Kenny." Kenny's departure from the top job in Ireland was confirmed in November after the FAI announced they would not be renewing his contract.

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Solskjaer's last foray into football management came back in 2021 when he was sacked following a 4-1 defeat to Watford in the Premier League. Since then, the 51-year-old has been working in youth football back in Norway and has also become a match analyst for UEFA.

Back in February, Solskjaer hinted that he was interested in returning to club management but would not be rushed into a new role. He explained during an event in New Dehli, as quoted by the Daily Mirror: "I’ve got at least one club job in me. It has to be an interesting one, somewhere, an adventure, somewhere I can be myself.

"No disrespect but after you’ve managed Manchester United for three years it’s like where do you go? I want to