OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER WAS NOT MAKING THE DECISIONS AT CARDIFF

My View: I said it time and time again and had coffee with Ole, Ole was not in proper charge of the City team and did not make the final decisions.
I have said on here many many times managers at our club don’t last because to much interference from above.

It happened ti Malky and he stood up and said No.
That’s why we have so many yes men as managers here.

Even this season Harris spoke out but was totally shot down.




The truth as they say always comes out in the end




“We weren’t playing and it really wasn’t his decision.” An exclusive extract from The Red Apprentice

By Scott Johnson


Monday 2nd November 2020


In an exclusive extract from Jamie Jackson’s new book on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, he speaks to Big Ben Turner, who makes some startling claims relating to the Norwegian’s time in charge and how he feels his tenure was hampered by interference.

“In an echo of the questions Ole Gunnar had to field on being appointed, Ben Turner, one of his defenders, claims that OGS was not always able to select the team on merit. Having started his career at Coventry City, Cardiff was Turner’s fourth club when he joined in August 2011, having previously had loan spells at Peterborough United and Oldham Athletic. Turner was a mainstay of the Cardiff side that won promotion as Championship champions the season before Ole took over.

Yet Solskjær had some disturbing news when informing him he had been dropped after playing in a 0-0 home draw with Aston Villa on 11 February 2014, a Tuesday. The next league game was also at Cardiff City Stadium, against Hull City on Saturday 22 February and ended – with no Turner in the XI – in a 4-0 hiding from Steve Bruce’s side.

‘I know he wasn’t given the full sort of trust to manage the club in his own way without any interference,’ says Turner. ‘There were boys, including myself, who were called in and told we weren’t playing and it really wasn’t his decision – that it was coming from above.

‘Obviously that wasn’t helping anyone. If there was anyone at the whole club who was not understanding football, it was the people who weren’t involved in the football. Unfortunately, there were people being picked or dropped, or both, based on what was being told from above – certain players were being dropped on that basis.

‘At the time, it was bothering me on a personal level. As an example, we were in a relegation dogfight, and had Aston Villa at home midweek, I think it was a BT Sport game, and we drew 0-0. So we got a clean sheet and I honestly wouldn’t be exaggerating if I said it’s probably the best I’ve ever played in a game in my whole entire life. Then on Saturday we played Hull at home and three of the back four that started against Villa and got the clean sheet were dropped.’

These were Turner, Gary Medel and Kévin Théophile-Catherine, with only Declan John, a wing-back, making the bench for Hull’s visit. Solskjær, true to type, was straight with Turner. ‘I was told I was dropped for Juan Cala because he – Ole – was told from above that he had to play and that’s why he was leaving me out. Ole told me this to my face – I was told that I was being dropped through no fault of my own – it was coming from above,’ Turner recalls. ‘And Hull beat us 4-0.’

This is a fresh perspective on the mistakes OGS says he made at Cardiff. The chief one may have been actually accepting the post. Turner continues: ‘Ole said: “I know we got a clean sheet against Villa, but I’ve been told that I have to play Juan Cala.”

‘Cala was a signing that was brought in, a Spanish centre-back. No one really knew who brought him in. It didn’t appear that it was from the football staff, as it were. He was brought in and it was kind of like, this is the player we brought in for you through agents and whatnot.

‘I was told I wasn’t playing because we wanted to try and pass the ball out more from the back. They told him – Ole – that on that basis Juan had to play, because he’s a Spanish centre-back and that was one of the reasons he was brought in. Well, it was a disaster on the Saturday because Juan and Steven Caulker didn’t get on, one single bit, and they were the centre-backs. It was a concern because it was new to me and what player wants to hear they’re dropped because it’s coming from the owner? The way I looked at it was this: the owner’s got all the money in the world. He’s running a football club essentially as a side hobby and he’s got new toys and the new toy that week was Juan Cala. This isn’t me and sour grapes: I’ve been dropped as much as the next. But you want to be dropped for the right reasons.

‘I had no reason to doubt what the gaffer was saying to me, that it’d come from above. He was an honest, genuine guy as far as I was concerned. Fair enough, we got relegated but he always had integrity. He was always straight with people in that respect and how straight can you be with a player just to tell him that you’ve been dropped because of what’s coming from above.’

If a manager does not always have full control of team matters then he is seriously hamstrung and cannot, truly, be held wholly responsible for results. Turner believes Cardiff was a bad fit for Solskjær. ‘You couldn’t say he was anything but a gentleman, a nice person, a passionate football man and about how it should be played,’ he says. ‘And, being brutally honest, it was probably the wrong club for him at the time.

‘At Cardiff, with everything that was going on and the fact that we were in deep trouble when he actually got there, it was probably the wrong place. But I’m sure he learned a lot from being there. The club was not harmonious – between the fans, players and owners. It was more than just trying to manage a football team.’

Nils Johan Semb, who managed Solskjær at Norway Under-21 and senior level, believes Ole Gunnar’s experience in South Wales was invaluable. ‘He had a tough period in Cardiff and of course he was not happy with that – but I think that maybe was the best experience for him, ahead of going into Manchester United,’ Semb says. ‘You can say that he made some mistakes in Cardiff, because he was very inexperienced.’”

The Red Apprentice: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: The Making of Manchester United’s Great Hope by Jamie Ja

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Well then Ole should really be embarrassed for putting up with that. Anyone with a backbone wouldn't stand for it.

Dont know how true this is but i do remember the Villa game vividly because my son had injured himself in school so we had to watch on TV. Its rare to remember defensive displays. Turner had a great game and was spotlighted by the experts after the game.( Marshall made a fantastic save at the end)

Hadn't realised he was dropped for that Hull shambles but in that context this revelation makes sense.

Well then Ole should really be embarrassed for putting up with that. Anyone with a backbone wouldn't stand for it.

I agree with you on that Jack, but the majority of our 10 managers in 10years have been yes men.


Jack they did Malky and Warnock

Ole is a poor manager.. interference or not..
Malky .. well , I think he did ok out of Cardiff..
spade did a good job, if there was interference in team selection well they did well.
Can’t see Warnock standing for it.

Reply FB:

Matthew Harrop:


Now there is a surprise, everyone can see they try and control their managers and have a say in the team.

What's the excuse currently with United then? He's a poor manager with or without interference.

What's the excuse currently with United then? He's a poor manager with or without interference.

I don’t rate Ole one bit as a manager, but he is an honest manager and for United is way way to big for him in fact we were as a manager.

But the truth is coming out.

I recall that Aston Villa game and Turner put in the best performance I have ever seen from a Cardiff City player. So when he was dropped for the next game I thought OLi had lost the plot. this article is quite damning for our club if its true.

I recall that Aston Villa game and Turner put in the best performance I have ever seen from a Cardiff City player. So when he was dropped for the next game I thought OLi had lost the plot. this article is quite damning for our club if its true.

As they say Ian, there’s no smoke without a fire as DJ would say.

For me I have been told to many times that there is to Much team interference and good managers won’t stay or won’t come to our club anymore and so we will only end up with yes menu.

He has put it in black and white in his book.


No point getting rid of Harris for another yes man.

Reply FB:

Richard Byles:

No manager worth his salt would come here if what I've read about interference, which many say has been happening for years at Cardiff and not being allowed to manage the club is true

It'll be interesting at the next press conference.Any journo worth his salt will quiz Harris over this.

Or maybe OGS didn't have the guts to tell a player he was dropped and, as all weak managers in any walk of life do, blamed it on those above him

Given that he hardly played the same team week by week it's stretching it to blame team selection on anyone but that alleged manager.

One way or the other, OGS either didn't have the guts to stand up to the owners or didn't have the guts to tell a player he was dropped

If you ask me Cala was a better centre back than Turner at Prem level anyway so if he wasn't dropping Turner himself he should have

It'll be interesting at the next press conference.Any journo worth his salt will quiz Harris over this.

With you on that Martin

None of this surprises me, as there were plenty of rumours saying similar at the time.

I'm also not surprised that Ole let it happen. I met him several times while he was our manager and as a person, I've got only good things to say about him - a very nice person.

But he isn't a good manager and he was weak during his time with us.


Maybe some journalists will ask Neil Harris questions about this, but I would expect the press officer to tell them that Harris won't be answering any questions relating to this.

None of this surprises me, as there were plenty of rumours saying similar at the time.

I'm also not surprised that Ole let it happen. I met him several times while he was our manager and as a person, I've got only good things to say about him - a very nice person.

But he isn't a good manager and he was weak during his time with us.


Maybe some journalists will ask Neil Harris questions about this, but I would expect the press officer to tell them that Harris won't be answering any questions relating to this.

Ned,

Like you I liked Ole as a person, but def was not a good manager.

You do know Ole after being sacked called an emergency press conference in Norway and invited the media from Wales / England, then suddenly cancelled it, I was told he was paid £3mill pay off and had to sign a confidentiality paper and not talk about City to the media.

If any of this is true then OGS is an idiot as well as a very poor manager

At the time of this episode he was a multi millionaire and a highly thought of up and coming manager

If it was true about all this interference all he had to do was walk away, speak to the press and tell them he refused to be bullied and work under those conditions

He wouldn’t have had a relegation on his CV, he would have gained respect and almost certainly been given another chance at aanother biggish club

Instead he kept his mouth shut and took the big pay off, which is all a bit gutless

If any of this is true then OGS is an idiot as well as a very poor manager

At the time of this episode he was a multi millionaire and a highly thought of up and coming manager

If it was true about all this interference all he had to do was walk away, speak to the press and tell them he refused to be bullied and work under those conditions

He wouldn’t have had a relegation on his CV, he would have gained respect and almost certainly been given another chance at aanother biggish club

Instead he kept his mouth shut and took the big pay off, which is all a bit gutless

agree with all of that... somehow his time here did him no harm what so ever but should have...
will say i dont see any point at all in Ben making this up....

Interfering with managers is rife in football always as been! No surprises really..... unless your of the calibre of josè ect managers will always be subject to some sort of control/interference from above. After all it is the owners money ....

Interfering with managers is rife in football always as been! No surprises really..... unless your of the calibre of josè ect managers will always be subject to some sort of control/interference from above. After all it is the owners money ....

Team selections, do you think that is ok Allan??

Interfering with managers is rife in football always as been! No surprises really..... unless your of the calibre of josè ect managers will always be subject to some sort of control/interference from above. After all it is the owners money ....

Team selections, do you think that is ok Allan??

Never said it was just pointing out the fact that its been happening for many many years at lots of clubs so nothing new.... and it's been put on here several times over the years about interference with city managers... like said unless your josè ect it will continue to happen unfortunately buisness men tend to do this as it's their money being spent how many times you hear of players not being played because of contract clauses in appearance and owner says cannot play him ect ..... its not right but it happens

None of this surprises me, as there were plenty of rumours saying similar at the time.

I'm also not surprised that Ole let it happen. I met him several times while he was our manager and as a person, I've got only good things to say about him - a very nice person.

But he isn't a good manager and he was weak during his time with us.


Maybe some journalists will ask Neil Harris questions about this, but I would expect the press officer to tell them that Harris won't be answering any questions relating to this.

Ned,

Like you I liked Ole as a person, but def was not a good manager.

You do know Ole after being sacked called an emergency press conference in Norway and invited the media from Wales / England, then suddenly cancelled it, I was told he was paid £3mill pay off and had to sign a confidentiality paper and not talk about City to the media.

That makes his behaviour even worse if it was right because he certainly didn't need the money after 10 years at Man Utd.

We may never know the truth, what I do now was some of the selections, tactics and signings were some of the worst I've ever seen from any manager in 49 years as a supporter and, believe me, we've had some blinders in that time Bottom line is that he was/is a crap manager

Interfering with managers is rife in football always as been! No surprises really..... unless your of the calibre of josè ect managers will always be subject to some sort of control/interference from above. After all it is the owners money ....

Team selections, do you think that is ok Allan??

Never said it was just pointing out the fact that its been happening for many many years at lots of clubs so nothing new.... and it's been put on here several times over the years about interference with city managers... like said unless your josè ect it will continue to happen unfortunately buisness men tend to do this as it's their money being spent how many times you hear of players not being played because of contract clauses in appearance and owner says cannot play him ect ..... its not right but it happens

There have been rumours for years that Abramovich would “suggest” team selections and tactics with Jose during Chelsea’s successful years. So it probably happens at many other clubs as well

Interfering with managers is rife in football always as been! No surprises really..... unless your of the calibre of josè ect managers will always be subject to some sort of control/interference from above. After all it is the owners money ....

Team selections, do you think that is ok Allan??

Never said it was just pointing out the fact that its been happening for many many years at lots of clubs so nothing new.... and it's been put on here several times over the years about interference with city managers... like said unless your josè ect it will continue to happen unfortunately buisness men tend to do this as it's their money being spent how many times you hear of players not being played because of contract clauses in appearance and owner says cannot play him ect ..... its not right but it happens

This.

Interfering with managers is rife in football always as been! No surprises really..... unless your of the calibre of josè ect managers will always be subject to some sort of control/interference from above. After all it is the owners money ....

Team selections, do you think that is ok Allan??

Never said it was just pointing out the fact that its been happening for many many years at lots of clubs so nothing new.... and it's been put on here several times over the years about interference with city managers... like said unless your josè ect it will continue to happen unfortunately buisness men tend to do this as it's their money being spent how many times you hear of players not being played because of contract clauses in appearance and owner says cannot play him ect ..... its not right but it happens

Sam stood at the back of the Bob Bank in the queue for Arsenal (?? not sure of the actual queue) tickets and spoke to the queue telling them how he had told the manager not to pick certain players and how others would be sold because he didn't like/trust them !!

I suppose that's OK then ?

Interfering with managers is rife in football always as been! No surprises really..... unless your of the calibre of josè ect managers will always be subject to some sort of control/interference from above. After all it is the owners money ....

Team selections, do you think that is ok Allan??

Never said it was just pointing out the fact that its been happening for many many years at lots of clubs so nothing new.... and it's been put on here several times over the years about interference with city managers... like said unless your josè ect it will continue to happen unfortunately buisness men tend to do this as it's their money being spent how many times you hear of players not being played because of contract clauses in appearance and owner says cannot play him ect ..... its not right but it happens

Sam stood at the back of the Bob Bank in the queue for Arsenal (?? not sure of the actual queue) tickets and spoke to the queue telling them how he had told the manager not to pick certain players and how others would be sold because he didn't like/trust them !!

I suppose that's OK then ?

As I've pointed out it happens all over football it is not just a city problem and certainly was not just a tan problem ! It's not ok but garauntee majority of managers have had some sort of interference from above in their management careers and most accept it otherwise they would be resigning soon after they started.....

Well then Ole should really be embarrassed for putting up with that. Anyone with a backbone wouldn't stand for it.

100% agree; OGS always had the choice in the 'marching' stakes but never took it...

Maybe explains why he was so docile and inanimate in the dugout though!

Or maybe OGS didn't have the guts to tell a player he was dropped and, as all weak managers in any walk of life do, blamed it on those above him

Given that he hardly played the same team week by week it's stretching it to blame team selection on anyone but that alleged manager.

One way or the other, OGS either didn't have the guts to stand up to the owners or didn't have the guts to tell a player he was dropped

If you ask me Cala was a better centre back than Turner at Prem level anyway so if he wasn't dropping Turner himself he should have

I have to agree with your post. OGS changed his team selection all the time in fact it became a bit of a game amongst supporters trying to guess who would be in or out. How a player performed in the previous game had no impact on whether they were chopped or retained.

If there was interference then it was off the scale interference which left the manager impotent. Surely if it was that bad OGS would have walked well before he was sacked.

We called him MR Tinker man as we never kept the sane side .

How the Hell did we end up with him??