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The Red Apprentice: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: The Making of Manchester United's Great Hope
He is the goal-scoring legend of the Treble Triumph, a local hero in Manchester and back home in Norway. But when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was announced in December 2018 as interim Manchester United manager, his only Premier League experience was overseeing Cardiff City’s relegation. After a dismal time following Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure, could he really be the one to see the club challenge again for major honours?
It all started so well – a record-breaking run of victories, Solskjaer seemingly the antidote to the confusion of Moyes, the stagnation of Van Gaal, the trauma of Mourinho, and the permanent job was secured. His first full season in charge was a bumpy ride, but Solskjaer steered the club to three semi-finals and a creditable third-place finish. He has reinvigorated players like Luke Shaw, Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford, given opportunities to newcomers such as Mason Greenwood, and brought in fresh talent in the shape of Bruno Fernandes, Edinson Cavani and Harry Maguire. In this updated edition, Jackson reveals how Solskjaer inspired United back into title contention once again during 2020-21, also taking them to a European final.
In The Red Apprentice, Jamie Jackson takes the reader back to Solskjaer’s early days in Norway to discover the making of the man. He relives his extraordinary playing career and that goal in the Champions League final of 1999, exploring his move into coaching and seeks an answer to the vital question: can he do it? Can Ole Gunnar Solskjaer draw on his experience and knowledge of the United way and bring the club its 21st league title?
It all started so well – a record-breaking run of victories, Solskjaer seemingly the antidote to the confusion of Moyes, the stagnation of Van Gaal, the trauma of Mourinho, and the permanent job was secured. His first full season in charge was a bumpy ride, but Solskjaer steered the club to three semi-finals and a creditable third-place finish. He has reinvigorated players like Luke Shaw, Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford, given opportunities to newcomers such as Mason Greenwood, and brought in fresh talent in the shape of Bruno Fernandes, Edinson Cavani and Harry Maguire. In this updated edition, Jackson reveals how Solskjaer inspired United back into title contention once again during 2020-21, also taking them to a European final.
In The Red Apprentice, Jamie Jackson takes the reader back to Solskjaer’s early days in Norway to discover the making of the man. He relives his extraordinary playing career and that goal in the Champions League final of 1999, exploring his move into coaching and seeks an answer to the vital question: can he do it? Can Ole Gunnar Solskjaer draw on his experience and knowledge of the United way and bring the club its 21st league title?
400 pages, Paperback
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