Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær could return to football management as Club Brugge are reportedly considering him as their new head coach.
The club legend and ex-United boss has been out of first-team coaching ever since his time at Old Trafford came to an end on 21 November 2021 following a torrid run of results, culminating in an embarrassing 4-1 loss to Watford.
Ole spent a total of three years as manager after getting the job full-time following an incredible start as interim coach and has been heading up the youth squad for his hometown team, Kristiansund BK, since September last year.
Taking charge of his youngest son Elijah’s under-14s side, it’s been a while since Solskjær has been involved at the senior level. However, according to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, the Norwegian has been named “on the shortlist” at Brugge.
The Belgian Pro League side have been without a permanent manager since they got rid of former Premier League manager Scott Parker, who lasted just 12 games at the club.
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While fellow countryman and current Standard Liege manager Ronny Deila is said to be the first-choice target for Club Brugge, Tavolieri claims that Ole is also in the top three alongside former Bayern Munich assistant coach, Dino Toppmoller, who left along with manager Julian Nagelsmann last month.
If the 50-year-old can rediscover the kind of form he found during his high points — winning 14 out of his first 19 games, not to mention going on the longest unbeaten run (29 matches) of side in English top-flight history — it could be a masterstroke for a club of Brugge’s calibre.
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Ole also finished third and then second in his first two seasons at United and took them to the latter stages of multiple cup competitions. Meanwhile, the Belgian team won their 18th title last season but are currently sitting fifth in the table, 20 points off the top and in need of some rhythm.
Whether Ole would even consider an offer at this time remains to be seen and no formal approach is yet to be made, especially with others above him on the list.
Nevertheless, his time at Old Trafford was very much a story of ‘almost but not quite’, with some Reds still believing he deserved more time and better backing in the transfer window.
Could it be time for him to make a comeback in first-team football?
Exciting new CGIs released of £500m Therme Manchester wellness resort as construction continues
Emily Sergeant
As construction continues on Manchester’s massive wellness resort, some new CGIs have now been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed, construction of the £500 million Therme Manchester wellness resort officially began last September after several years of planning, and now developers have released some exciting new CGIs – with an update on how construction is going, as a new milestone has been reached this week.
Set to open to the public in 2029, Therme Manchester will become one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world.
Visitors can expect to make the most of a 10 pools – both lagoon and wave pools included – thermal bathing, multi-sensory sauna rituals, steam rooms, 18 water slides, affordably-priced luxury spa therapies, and health and fitness experiences.
Exciting new CGIs released of Therme Manchester have been released / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of Therme Manchester will be three distinct zones, each offering a different way to spend time at the resort.
Play will bring together water-based fun and attractions for families and visitors of all ages, and Restore will focus on thermal bathing and restorative experiences designed to help visitors unwind, while Relax will offer spaces for relaxation and wellbeing.
The latest CGIs showcase the design as it develops – including the resort’s extensive indoor and outdoor spaces, and its 53,000sq ft wellbeing garden.
Construction is still underway on the £500m wellness resort / Credit: Supplied
The plans also feature a new public plaza designed to strengthen connections between the resort and the Bridgewater Canal.
Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “We have taken the opportunity to refine the design, improve how traffic and parking are managed and create a more welcoming environment for everyone arriving at the resort.
“We are creating an even better experience for visitors while supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.”
Therme Manchester was initially touted as a £250m project that would complete in 2025, but it’s now up to £500m and is scheduled to complete it 2029.
It marks one of the most significant building developments to ever take place in the North.
Featured Image – Supplied
Sport
Manchester City release limited-edition Blossoms shirts exclusively in new flagship store
Daisy Jackson
Manchester City have released a limited run of special Blossoms shirts, which will be available exclusively at the new flagship City Store.
Etihad Airways has donated the front-of-shirt space for the special drop, which celebrates the Stockport band’s lifelong support of Man City and will fundraise forCity in the Community’s 40th anniversary.
The Manchester City x Blossoms collab features the band’s logo across the chest of the 2024/25 season’s away shirt – one of the Club’s most popular designs in recent years.
Profits from sales of the shirts will be donated to CITC to support its 40th anniversary fundraising, which empower healthier lives with city youth through football.
Blossoms have just secured their fifth UK number one album with their latest release, ‘Songs From The Wedding Cake’, and will soon be heading on an arena tour that includes two massive shows at the Co-op Live.
There’s a very limited run of the Man City Blossoms shirts, available in sizes small to large, which will exclusively be sold at the new flagship CityStore.
The shirts have dropped in-store this morning, with further drops to be released around the band’s tour dates this November and December.
As for that new City store – it’s a whopping 21,000 sq ft, three-floor space at Medlock Square, right beside the Etihad Stadium, and is the biggest shop in the club’s history.
The new flagship has opened today in collaboration with PUMA and Stichd, and features a new, interactive ‘Make It Yours’ customisation station as well as an expanded range of Manchester City products.
Danny Jones -
7th April 2023 
