Ole Goner Solskjaer: Cardiff City announce departure of manager

Championship strugglers Cardiff City have announced the departure of manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, following a series of disappointing results. Reports suggest the Norwegian handed in his resignation, which was accepted.

The Bluebirds were tipped as pre-season favourites to challenge for the second tier title and automatic promotion to the Premier League, but currently sit 17th after disappointing defeats to Middlesbrough, Norwich City and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Controversial Cardiff owner Vincent Tan created waves by sacking Malky Mackay halfway through the Premier League campaign last season, and has illustrated further short-termism by accepting Solskjaer’s resignation just over a month into the new term.

Manchester United legend and former youth coach Solskjaer replaced Mackay in January 2014, arriving on the back of three successful seasons as manager of native Norwegian side Molde. The 41-year-old lifted the Tippeligaen twice before plumping for a move to the Bluebirds on a 12-month rolling contract.

Solskjaer’s reign at the Cardiff City Stadium has not been as fruitful as expected though, with the former Norway forward suffering relegation to the Championship in his first season at the club and winning only five out of 25 league games during his tenure.

It appears defeat to Middlesbrough was the last straw, with the Welsh capital club picking up just one point from 12 in their last four Championship matches. Solskjaer was subjected to boos from the Bluebirds faithful after his side’s most recent lacklustre performance, and admitted after the game he was “responsible” and “should get better results than this.”

Tony Pulis, who left his post as Crystal Palace coach just before the season started, is believed to be in the running for this vacancy. Cardiff are currently 28/1 to be relegated.