Manchester United boss, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is prepared for the “circus” that will accompany Jose Mourinho’s return to the Premier League.
Mourinho is back in the Premier League after 11 months of being sucked by United. The new manager’s first match after his appointment in Tottenham will be at the London Stadium on Saturday. His club new club will face West Ham United.
Despite the situation, Solskjaer took his chances to welcome Mourinho back to the league and to also prepare for his “circus”
He said, “Jose coming back is going to be a spectacle.”
The Norwegian had a glimpse of what was coming. He saw a television broadcast before Friday’s news conference to preview Sunday’s trip to Sheffield United.
When it was made clear journalists would be asking about Mourinho and the availability of the man he replaced at Spurs, Solskjaer tried to take command of the situation before he was asked a question.
He said, “Sorry to disappoint you but it is not going to be about Jose or Mauricio.”
Nonetheless, three of Solskjaer’s first six answers were about those two. The answer was further accompanied by a question about midfielder Nemanja Matic liking a social media post. The post suggested a further reunion with Mourinho who has previously bought the Serbian when he was in charge at Chelsea and United.
He responded, “It is good to have Jose back especially for you guys. Maybe for me as well because you can talk and write about everything else.”
When will they meet?
Tottenham’s trip to Old Trafford for the Premier League game will be on 4th December. The match will provide an unavoidable link between Solskjaer and the man he replaced.
Pochettino’s name will be a longer-lasting distraction.
The Argentine is favorite to be the next United boss. While the club sourced have repeatedly stressed how they view Solskjaer as a long-term appointment. Any negative results are bound to be followed by suggestions the man who took Tottenham to last season’s Champions League final should be appointed in the Norwegian’s place.
Yet, Solskjaer said, “it doesn’t bother me at all because I’ve got the best job in the world.”
“I am sure if you are in or out of a job and you are a manager, you would want this job. So, it doesn’t really matter whatever happens around it.”
“I’ve got to focus on my job at Manchester United and do it as well as I can. I speak with Ed and the owners all the time about how we are going to move the club forward.”
“That doesn’t change if some other clubs change their managers.”