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The Red Apprentice: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: The Making of Manchester United's Great Hope
When Ole Gunnar Solskjaer returned to Old Trafford as caretaker manager midway through the 2018-19 season, he breathed new life into a team that was drifting. In this new and definitive biography, Jamie Jackson investigates why he was the perfect man for the job to bring back the glory days.
After the confusion under David Moyes, the stagnation of Louis van Gaal and the growing trauma under Jose Mourinho, Manchester United were a club increasingly appearing to be drifting away from challenging for the top, something the fans had been accustomed to during the reign of Sir Alex Ferguson. So when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a match-winning hero of the Reds' great Treble-winning side returned to Old Trafford on 19 December 2018 as caretaker manager, he was welcomed with open arms. Here was a man who understood what it was that the fans demanded, and had a plan to give it to them. They went on a record-breaking run of victories that secured him the position on a permanent basis, before old frailties re-emerged, showing the scale of the job he had always dreamed of taking on.
The Natural, Jamie Jackson's fascinating biography of Solskjaer, takes the reader back to the Norwegian's early days to discover the making of the man, relives the highlights of a stunning playing career - and that Champions League-clinching goal in 1999 - and explains why he is the natural choice for United in the future.
After the confusion under David Moyes, the stagnation of Louis van Gaal and the growing trauma under Jose Mourinho, Manchester United were a club increasingly appearing to be drifting away from challenging for the top, something the fans had been accustomed to during the reign of Sir Alex Ferguson. So when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a match-winning hero of the Reds' great Treble-winning side returned to Old Trafford on 19 December 2018 as caretaker manager, he was welcomed with open arms. Here was a man who understood what it was that the fans demanded, and had a plan to give it to them. They went on a record-breaking run of victories that secured him the position on a permanent basis, before old frailties re-emerged, showing the scale of the job he had always dreamed of taking on.
The Natural, Jamie Jackson's fascinating biography of Solskjaer, takes the reader back to the Norwegian's early days to discover the making of the man, relives the highlights of a stunning playing career - and that Champions League-clinching goal in 1999 - and explains why he is the natural choice for United in the future.
383 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 16, 2020
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53 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 27, 2022
If you love Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, you will love this book.
September 30, 2021
As a Manchester United fan, this book gives me a new perspective on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's journey when he was appointed as a manager in 2018. There have been ups and downs in his career as he previously managed at Cardiff City in 2014 and failed. However, he was unexpectedly appointed as Mourinho's replacement at Manchester United, who at that time was struggling to reach the top four.
In addition, the book covers the time period from Ole's childhood until he became a manager in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 season. So, we can find out about his life background and how he became famous when he scored the winning goal in the 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich. However, unfortunately in 2003, he suffered an injury that forced him to take a long rest and in the end he decided to retire in 2007.
In addition, the book covers the time period from Ole's childhood until he became a manager in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 season. So, we can find out about his life background and how he became famous when he scored the winning goal in the 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich. However, unfortunately in 2003, he suffered an injury that forced him to take a long rest and in the end he decided to retire in 2007.
January 7, 2021
A birthday present from a Manchester United supporter (naturally). Written at a time Ole had become Manager of the club where he had won fame as a player. It is inevitably a story in three acts. Act 1 his rise to fame as the club scaled the heights under the legendary Alex Ferguson. Act 2 his early days after returning as manager.
And there it finishes, leaving the third act unwritten, and readers guessing whether it ends in triumph or disaster (for surely there can be no ending somewhere between those two poles).
And there it finishes, leaving the third act unwritten, and readers guessing whether it ends in triumph or disaster (for surely there can be no ending somewhere between those two poles).
October 30, 2020
The review
Decent book but it’s more like unauthorized biography so there’s no source from OGS himself although there are some words from people who knows him. My only caveat is the writer tend to write the comparison between him and previous post-Fergie manager repeatedly
Decent book but it’s more like unauthorized biography so there’s no source from OGS himself although there are some words from people who knows him. My only caveat is the writer tend to write the comparison between him and previous post-Fergie manager repeatedly
November 13, 2020
This is clearly written by someone that is a Manchester United fan, nothing wrong in that to be honest but the book lacks first hand information from Ole Gunnar himself and it's really not even clear that the author spoke to people close to him or it's second hand sources.
January 5, 2021
An intriguing and well-prepared journalistic insight into OGS's growing-up, playing days, and managerial approach. Perfect for United fans as it seems to have been wrtitten by a Man Utd supporter.
March 8, 2021
Good history of Ole and making the case that he is an astute managed. Fingers crossed that Jamie Jackson is proved right
March 19, 2021
Surprisingly good...
April 21, 2021
How have I not read this book till now? If you like Ole, you'll like him even more after reading this book. It's a great read.
January 26, 2022
Although not an aunthorized biography, still a decent one and enjoyed reading it.
August 24, 2023
Goldmine for the Manchester United fan as I am 🤩
March 22, 2024
A jumbled mess of an autobiography- flits around between time periods and tenses. Clearly written in a rush to capitalise on the (at the time) success of OGS at Man Utd.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews