OLE Gunnar Solskjaer remains the bookies’ favourite to be the next Ireland manager after they slashed his odds dramatically.
But, the chances of Ole taking on the job look to be already dashed as it was revealed he wasn’t interested in the role.
The Baby-Faced Assassin has sensationally been linked with the vacant gaffer’s role following a swell of support in recent days.
Norwegian supersub Ole, 51, most recently managed Manchester United for almost three seasons until he was sacked in November 2021 with the Old Trafford side in disarray.
He’s since emerged as the favourite to succeed Stephen Kenny after a number of bookies today claimed he was now the FAI’s top choice.
But, despite being the bookies’ favourite, top UK journalist Andy Mitten tonight poured cold water on reports Ole would be the new Ireland boss.
He tweeted: “Keep getting asked about the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for Republic of Ireland job story. Spoke to him. He has no idea where it came from.
“He has complete respect for the country and did speak briefly about the job in Jan, but decided it wouldn’t be right for him. Have a good weekend.”
Earlier in the day, Betfair have made the 1999 Champions League winner odds-on to take the reins with the senior side after a months-long search, which saw the likes of Lee Carsley, Gus Poyet and Chris Coleman all linked with the post.
They revealed: “BIG market move.
“Our traders have made Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the favourite to become the next permanent Republic of Ireland manager.
“From 80/1 to odds-on (3/10).”
Ladbrokes also reckon the one-time Cardiff City boss is the odds-on 4/7 favourite to replace Kenny, followed by interim boss John O’Shea at 6/4 and Steve Bruce at 5/1.
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes told the Irish Sun: “There has been an absolute shock twist in the betting for next Ireland manager.
“Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has come out of nowhere and is now the red-hot favourite to take the reins.
“We have had more favourites than we can count to become next Ireland manager, but the rush of bets for Ole has really caught us off guard.
“His name was never in the frame and all of a sudden he is the red-hot favourite for the job.”
BoyleSports spokesman Lawrence Lyons agreed: “We’ve been here before so we aren’t counting any chickens, but the move on Solskjaer in the past 24 hours has significantly reshaped the betting and he’s the shortest price of any candidate we’ve seen since Lee Carsley dropped out.”
Solskjaer’s former team-mate Roy Keane has also been linked with taking charge of the senior side having expressed an interest in the role.
Keano recently re-activated his Instagram account and shared a snap alongside Ole quipping that the pair were both keen to get back in the digout.
Roy wrote: “DM us if you’re looking to hire a manager”.
‘I enjoyed it’
Despite enjoying widespread success as a no-nonsense TV pundit with Sky Sports, the former Ireland skipper has made no secret of his own desire to get back into management.
Asked earlier this year whether the Ireland job would be of interest, Roy admitted: “Yes, I enjoyed international football when I was a coach there.
“I like the dynamics of it where you’re not in every day and it’s not about bringing players in and dealing with the board every week.
“That does appeal to me, I did enjoy the dynamics when I was coaching with the Irish team – that could be an option.”
‘Swaying towards not going back’
But in February he appeared to shut the door on his ambitions and said talks over a return to the dugout with unnamed officials had left him feeling “disrespected”.
Roy admitted: “I am swaying now towards not going back into it.
“I just think it’s not worth the hassle and people constantly disrespect you or whatever…time wasters.”
He later added: “Not talking about Pep (Guardiola) and (Jurgen) Klopp’s level.
“But when you go down a certain level and you have any sorts of chats or discussions about going back into work – I’m not joking you, people think you are so desperate you’ll sign anything.”
Ireland are next in action this summer when they take on Hungary at the Aviva Stadium on June 4 before travelling to Portugal on June 11.
