MLS history maker, chairman – what Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United staff are doing now

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s manager came under fire before being sacked by Manchester United.

United looked poorly coached in the final months of Solskjaer’s reign and were finally sacked in November 2021 after a heavy defeat to Watford at Vicarage Road.

Solskjaer survived embarrassing defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City, but United’s 4-1 defeat at Watford was the result that saw the Norwegian lose his job.

After Solskjaer was sacked, Michael Carrick took over as caretaker manager and eventually left after the arrival of Ralf Rangnick on an interim basis.

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Erik ten Hag replaced Rangnick in spring 2022 and has been backed to stay in charge for a third year despite finishing eighth in the Premier League last season.

Kieran McKenna, a former member of Solskjaer’s staff at United, has been approached about replacing Ten Hag and it’s fascinating to see what the Norwegian’s staff are up to now…

Michael Carrick

After serving under Jose Mourinho, Carrick was retained as first-team coach under Solskjaer and was a valuable member of his backroom staff. Carrick took over at United following Solskjaer’s sacking and served in that role for three games.

The former midfielder oversaw wins against Villarreal and Arsenal and a draw against Chelsea during his spell on the pitch and decided to take a break after leaving Old Trafford.

Carrick returned to coaching when he was appointed Middlesbrough manager in October 2022. His first season in charge was a resounding success and impressively he guided Middlesbrough to fourth in the Championship, which earned them a place in the play- off

The 42-year-old has limited resources at Middlesbrough and although last season was a regression, he remains popular in the North East and is expected to improve next year.

Kieran McKenna

McKenna was mooted as a possible successor to Ten Hag ahead of the FA Cup final. The Northern Irishman has always been regarded as one of the game’s most exciting coaching prospects, but his transition to management has seen him enjoy remarkable success.

Following Mourinho’s departure, he was retained by Solskjaer and also worked with interim manager Ralf Rangnick before taking his first managerial job at Ipswich.

Since leaving United, McKenna has guided Ipswich away from the bottom of League One, winning promotion to the Championship and the Premier League in two-and-a-half seasons.

The rise of the Tractor Boys has been special and McKenna – who will be the youngest manager in the Premier League next season, having just turned 38 – deserves all the plaudits.

Mike Phelan

Mike Phelan signed a new contract with United in October 2021, just a month before Solskjaer was sacked. Although the stalwarts of Solskjaer’s staff followed him out the door, Phelan remained at the club.

There has been confusion over what Phelan, who was Solskjaer’s assistant manager, did during Rangnick’s tenure, but it is understood he was consulted by the German in his final months as caretaker manager.

After 20 years at the club as a player and manager, Phelan left United’s coaching staff following Ten Hag’s appointment. He is also the Chairman of ‘Sensible Soccer’ which is a football equipment and coaching business.

Eric Ramsay

Ramsay went to Loughborough University with McKenna, who recommended him to Solskjaer. He was initially appointed as a “game specialist and individual development coach”, but took on a much wider role following Ten Hag’s arrival, as MEN revealed in April 2023.

He had a much wider role as first-team coach, which saw him attend most training sessions alongside Van der Gaag and Darren Fletcher.

Ramsay was instrumental in preparing the team to win games and an increased role in planning and organizing sessions. Ten Hag led the tactical group and Ramsay was one of a group of trainers who repeated their messages.

Ramsay is fluent in Spanish and was an asset to Solskjaer and subsequently Ten Hag when the Norwegian was sacked. He helped integrate players such as Casemiro at Carrington and took his first managerial job with MLS side Minnesota United in February.

He is the youngest permanent coach in MLS history and has signed a multi-year contract with the club.

Martyn Pert

Solskjaer brought strength and conditioning specialist Martyn Pert to United shortly after his appointment. Pert previously enjoyed spells with Watford, Cardiff, Coventry and the MLS Vancouver Whitecaps.

Pert was another to follow Solskjaer out the door but quickly returned to work, joining McKenna at Ipswich where he was appointed assistant manager.

Darren Fletcher

Solskjaer promoted Fletcher from his role as academy coach to the first team during his tenure. Fletcher was then promoted again in March 2021 when the club announced that he had been chosen to become the inaugural technical director at Old Trafford.

Fletcher’s role involved working closely with former director of football John Murtough, “to add technical input and direction in all areas of football and performance”. He was a regular presence at academy matches and acted as a conduit between the youth system and the first team.

However, Jason Wilcox replaced Fletcher as technical director in April and it was thought he could continue in a different, academy-based role.

Richard Hartis

Richard Hartis was the goalkeeping coach on Solskjaer’s staff and remains in that role under Ten Hag. He works with Andre Onana, Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton in training.

Sunderland-born Hartis has been at United since 2019 and previously spent time with the FA and Leeds.