Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appointed Cardiff City manager

Last updated : 02 January 2014 By Michael Morris

Cardiff City have appointed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as their new manager.

Solskjaer was unveiled as the new Cardiff City boss less than 24 hours after watching his new side lose at Arsenal.He has the honour of trying to manage the football club that has been a point of ridicule because of owner Vincent Tan. 

Solskjaer was flown by Tan’s private jet from Norway to the UK on Wednesday morning and the pair entered The Emirates Stadium together. Ironically Tan, the man who insisted on Cardiff City playing in red, wore a blue shirt to match the away ‘Royal’ kit the team played in at The Emirates. (The club do not call the change strip blue, just Royal). 

On Thursday just before 1pm Solskjaer arrived at Cardiff City Stadium and was introduced as the new Cardiff City manager. The 40 year old Norwegian sat alongside Chairman Mehmet Dalman as he met the press for the first time as Cardiff City manager.

The new boss dismissed claims that Alex Ferguson tried to dissuade him from taking the Cardiff job. 

"That is absolute nonsense," said Solskjaer. "He has wished me the best and given me some good advice as he always does. I had a good conversation with him." 

Solskjaer was a star striker for Manchester United under Ferguson and scored the winning goal in the 1999 Champions League final. As an attacker he likes to bring an attack minded approach to his management. Something that might help avoid the second half rear-guard display at The Emirates. 

"It is a fantastic challenge. Cardiff are ready to take the next step up. I hope I can help them," Soskjaer said.  

"I've always dreamt of being a manager in the Premier League and I'm delighted to get the opportunity."