SOLSKJAER TARGETS 3 PLAYERS, FAO Norwegian and Molde FK fans

Cardiff City woo Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with £25m January transfer budget to beat relegation.

Molde manager and former Manchester United striker is expected to be appointed as Malky Mackay's successor on Thursday and will start spending his kitty immediately

Please Note: this topic has been merged with 'FAO Norwegian and Molde FK fans' starting on page 2.

Cardiff City woo Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with £25m January transfer budget to beat relegation
Molde manager and former Manchester United striker is expected to be appointed as Malky Mackay's successor on Thursday and will start spending his kitty immediately

Cardiff City woo Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with £25m January transfer budget to beat relegation
Molde manager and former Manchester United striker is expected to be appointed as Malky Mackay's successor on Thursday and will start spending his kitty immediately

Jet set: Vincent Tan (left) sent his private plane to fly Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to the Emirates to watch Cardiff City Photo: REUTERS
By Matt Law
01st Jan 2014

Cardiff City are expected to confirm Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the club’s new manager and give him a £25 million January transfer budget.

Solskjaer was flown to England by Vincent Tan and sat between the Cardiff owner and Mehmet Dalman, the chairman, in the Emirates stands to watch Cardiff’s 2-0 defeat by Arsenal.

The trio continued talks after the game in London on Wednesday night, with the aim of naming Solskjaer as the successor to Malky Mackay on Thursday.

Cardiff intend to employ the former Manchester United striker on a rolling contract, with the promise of £25 million to spend immediately.

Blackpool’s Tom Ince is high on Cardiff’s list of targets and Solskjaer will try also to bring Mats Moller Daehli, the 18-year-old midfielder whom he has compared to Adnan Januzaj, with him from Molde.

Cardiff are also prepared to spend heavily on a striker, with Heerenveen’s Alfred Finnbogason one option.

Solskjaer is understood to have held reservations about accepting the job, but the Norwegian has been impressed by Dalman and the pair have struck up an immediate rapport.

A dramatic day of negotiations started with Solskjaer taking a private jet owned by Tan, from Kristiansund Airport and arrived at Luton at 10.50am. Tan cancelled his scheduled return to Malaysia to meet him.

Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, said that Solskjaer’s presence inspired a determined performance from Cardiff at the Emirates.

“I saw Solskjaer before the game and Cardiff played like they knew he was in the stand,” said Wenger. “It is a chance for him. Basically what you want when you are young is a chance and afterwards you have to make the maximum of that chance.

“He already has experience of being a manager in Norway, so he has learntd his job. He was an intelligent player and he is an intelligent man as well. That will help him to be successful.”

Aron Gunnarsson, the Cardiff midfielder, believes Solskjaer would be a good appointment and thinks the team will benefit from an end to the uncertainty around the club.

The defeat at Arsenal meant Cardiff are only a point above the relegation zone and need to start climbing up the table as quickly as possible.

“I’m Icelandic and Solskjaer’s Norwegian, but he’s played for one of the biggest teams in this country and a lot of people know who he is,” said Gunnarsson. “I’ve heard he’s done a good job with Molde in Norway, so if he gets the job hopefully he can take us further and progress us as a team because we need that at the moment.

“It will be something new, but it won’t be to do with his name. He is a new coach who has done well with Molde and if he comes in I’m sure he’ll bring something fresh into the group.

“Of course, everyone wants to carry on and try to get more points on board. If the owner sorts a new manager out, we can get on with things.” Having ended his playing career in 2007, Solskjaer took charge of United’s reserve team for two-and-a-half years before guiding Molde to their first Norwegian league title in 100 years in 2011.

He led Molde to another title the following season, but they could finish only sixth behind champions Stromgodset this term. Molde beat Rosenborg 4-2 on November 24 to take the Norwegian Football Cup for the third time in their history.

Tan sacked Mackay last Friday, following a 3-0 home defeat by Southampton and a bitter dispute between the pair.

Cardiff City woo Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with £25m January transfer budget to beat relegation.

Molde manager and former Manchester United striker is expected to be appointed as Malky Mackay's successor on Thursday and will start spending his kitty immediately

Well, well well - 3 players - exactly what Malky said!

Could this be the year the double is won in the biggest Derby on the planet!

Hello bluebirds! I'm just a random Norwegian guy but with the Imminent arrival of OGS as your new manager I'd like to talk about a few potential transfer targets from Molde. I think it's very likely OGS will bring 1-2 players.

1. Mats Moeller Daehli - position: creative midfielder - age: 18
We've had some decent talents in Norway the last decade like Iversen, Carew, Riise and Flo but this guy is the best Norwegian youngster I've seen. Has a natural ability with the ball moves it up the pitch very well! Was supposed to play for Norway u19 this year but was of course too good so the moved him to u21. In his only game there he was the best player by miles and they called him up for the national team. Came on against Denmark and was the best player there as well. In terms of playing style he reminds me of Andres Iniesta in the way he picks up the ball and moves it forward with neat touches and great vision. His passing accuracy is spectatular for an 18 year old (+90%). He was part of the youth team of Mancester United 2011-2013 and was voted best player there but chose to join OGS and get first team opportunities at Molde. This is a very determined young man with great potential and I expect him to be a Cardiff player by the end of January. You will be lucky to have him!

2. Vegard Forren - position: central defender - age 25
Left footed central defender that loves a good battle on the pitch! He was the best player in the Norwegian League 2012, after which he was sold to Southampton. He arrived when they changed manager and never got a chance in the team. They were playing Yoshida at centerhalf instead of him which I found strange at the time, but maybe he struggled to adapt. Molde also struggled without him as they went from champions to relegation battlers the first part of this season! but OGS handled the adversity well, brought back Forren to Molde and they started winning again. Forren also shined whenever Molde played better teams in Europe (Stuttgart, Heerenveen, Basle, Steua Bucuresti, Copenhagen etc). He has not really found back his 2012 form but I still expect OGS will try to bring him in to fight for the place next to Caulker!

Cheers for the info Eriksen

Hello bluebirds! I'm just a random Norwegian guy but with the Imminent arrival of OGS as your new manager I'd like to talk about a few potential transfer targets from Molde. I think it's very likely OGS will bring 1-2 players.

1. Mats Moeller Daehli - position: creative midfielder - age: 18
We've had some decent talents in Norway the last decade like Iversen, Carew, Riise and Flo but this guy is the best Norwegian youngster I've seen. Has a natural ability with the ball moves it up the pitch very well! Was supposed to play for Norway u19 this year but was of course too good so the moved him to u21. In his only game there he was the best player by miles and they called him up for the national team. Came on against Denmark and was the best player there as well. In terms of playing style he reminds me of Andres Iniesta in the way he picks up the ball and moves it forward with neat touches and great vision. His passing accuracy is spectatular for an 18 year old (+90%). He was part of the youth team of Mancester United 2011-2013 and was voted best player there but chose to join OGS and get first team opportunities at Molde. This is a very determined young man with great potential and I expect him to be a Cardiff player by the end of January. You will be lucky to have him!

2. Vegard Forren - position: central defender - age 25
Left footed central defender that loves a good battle on the pitch! He was the best player in the Norwegian League 2012, after which he was sold to Southampton. He arrived when they changed manager and never got a chance in the team. They were playing Yoshida at centerhalf instead of him which I found strange at the time, but maybe he struggled to adapt. Molde also struggled without him as they went from champions to relegation battlers the first part of this season! but OGS handled the adversity well, brought back Forren to Molde and they started winning again. Forren also shined whenever Molde played better teams in Europe (Stuttgart, Heerenveen, Basle, Steua Bucuresti, Copenhagen etc). He has not really found back his 2012 form but I still expect OGS will try to bring him in to fight for the place next to Caulker!

Thanks for the information

whats this thing with tom ince, hes an average player in the championship with a dad who inflates his ego. Really hope we dont go after him, hes not the answer to our problems.

Hello bluebirds! I'm just a random Norwegian guy but with the Imminent arrival of OGS as your new manager I'd like to talk about a few potential transfer targets from Molde. I think it's very likely OGS will bring 1-2 players.

1. Mats Moeller Daehli - position: creative midfielder - age: 18
We've had some decent talents in Norway the last decade like Iversen, Carew, Riise and Flo but this guy is the best Norwegian youngster I've seen. Has a natural ability with the ball moves it up the pitch very well! Was supposed to play for Norway u19 this year but was of course too good so the moved him to u21. In his only game there he was the best player by miles and they called him up for the national team. Came on against Denmark and was the best player there as well. In terms of playing style he reminds me of Andres Iniesta in the way he picks up the ball and moves it forward with neat touches and great vision. His passing accuracy is spectatular for an 18 year old (+90%). He was part of the youth team of Mancester United 2011-2013 and was voted best player there but chose to join OGS and get first team opportunities at Molde. This is a very determined young man with great potential and I expect him to be a Cardiff player by the end of January. You will be lucky to have him!

2. Vegard Forren - position: central defender - age 25
Left footed central defender that loves a good battle on the pitch! He was the best player in the Norwegian League 2012, after which he was sold to Southampton. He arrived when they changed manager and never got a chance in the team. They were playing Yoshida at centerhalf instead of him which I found strange at the time, but maybe he struggled to adapt. Molde also struggled without him as they went from champions to relegation battlers the first part of this season! but OGS handled the adversity well, brought back Forren to Molde and they started winning again. Forren also shined whenever Molde played better teams in Europe (Stuttgart, Heerenveen, Basle, Steua Bucuresti, Copenhagen etc). He has not really found back his 2012 form but I still expect OGS will try to bring him in to fight for the place next to Caulker!

Thanks for the information, You’ve probably guessed by now that not a lot of members on this site know anything about football in Norway.
As it happens the two players you mention ( Daehli and Forren ) would fit in to the Cardiff side easily. We need someone with imagination in the midfield, someone who can change a game, and we are desperate for a centre half as Turner is now a liability in this position costing us goals and games.

Get McCormack and Defoe.

Thanks for that. Very interesting read.

Let's hope it all works out.

Best of luck to Molde

Malky already forgotten , big walk out didn't happen at Sunderland because you were winning at the time?.. Not having a dig all supporters are the same, they just want the club to be successful. If your club is doing well your happy so with Ole coming in you will get behind him. Tan has made alot of mistakes but if he stays in the backgroung you will forgive, however with his ego and sunglasses it won't be long before he fecks up again.

Malky will never be forgotten.
massive respect to the man.


but we move on, just as we always have, players, managers, owners will come and go - some a success, some a failure.

you know full well how much 1 win is worth in the premier. We need to accept and push on. our squad depth is poor as is our front forward midfield/striking options.

"OLE OLE Ole Ole
you are a man
a city man"

skysports:
We are hearing reports that Cardiff City are targeting a move for Crystal Palace midfielder Jonny Williams in this month's transfer window. Incoming Cardiff boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is thought to have made Wales international Williams one of his top targets as he looks to reshape the squad he has inherited from Malky Mackay. Williams is regarded as one the best young players in the country and has been tipped by current Cardiff star Craig Bellamy to become one of Wales' top stars. Palace are reluctant to lose Williams, but Cardiff are thought to be ready to test their resolve with a firm bid for the 20-year-old.


Norwegian papers are also talking about young keeper Ørjan Nyland as a potential target.

Hi, new (Norwegian) member.
Not a die hard Cardiff fan, but a OGS fan. And nice to see a Norwegian manager i the PL (if it should happen)

As for new players, I read that OGS is a fan of and want to bring Palace midfielder Jonny Williams in this transferwindow. A young an up-and-coming welshman?

I can also stand behind Mats Møller Dæhli (as the kid is superb). But Forren??!! No no no and no.... Given, the boy is tall and great with headers, but he is very slow. He was not found good enough for Southampton, and sent back to Molde.

But I do believe OGS will use his MU contacts and maybe bring in a loaner or two to "save" the season for Cardiff.. as the likes of Zaha perhaps? One thing is for sure, if SAF says go play for OGS, you do just that, even if Moyes is the manager.

As for the staff, I am 90% sure that OGS will bring with him both Richard Hartis and Mark Dempsey, both from Molde and both with history in the United system. And from what I understand (but don't know too much about) these guys are quality.

Hi!

As a Norwegian from Kristiansund I know some about Molde players and the only person good enough imo is Mats Møller Dælie - the biggest norwegian talent in ages. His also a favorite of OGS and have been training him for the last 4 years or so. Also when he was playing for the man united reserves.

If u get OGS u will gets Mats. As for other Molde players, I cant see any good enough. ...Maybe the keeper - Ørjan Nilsen. Cardiff have a good goal keeper?

2. Vegard Forren - position: central defender - age 25
Left footed central defender that loves a good battle on the pitch! He was the best player in the Norwegian League 2012, after which he was sold to Southampton. He arrived when they changed manager and never got a chance in the team. They were playing Yoshida at centerhalf instead of him which I found strange at the time, but maybe he struggled to adapt. Molde also struggled without him as they went from champions to relegation battlers the first part of this season! but OGS handled the adversity well, brought back Forren to Molde and they started winning again. Forren also shined whenever Molde played better teams in Europe (Stuttgart, Heerenveen, Basle, Steua Bucuresti, Copenhagen etc). He has not really found back his 2012 form but I still expect OGS will try to bring him in to fight for the place next to Caulker!

I can also stand behind Mats Møller Dæhli (as the kid is superb). But Forren??!! No no no and no.... Given, the boy is tall and great with headers, but he is very slow. He was not found good enough for Southampton, and sent back to Molde.

But I do believe OGS will use his MU contacts and maybe bring in a loaner or two to "save" the season for Cardiff.. as the likes of Zaha perhaps? One thing is for sure, if SAF says go play for OGS, you do just that, even if Moyes is the manager.

As for the staff, I am 90% sure that OGS will bring with him both Richard Hartis and Mark Dempsey, both from Molde and both with history in the United system. And from what I understand (but don't know too much about) these guys are quality.

I'm not sure about Forren, agree with chl22. Forren is too slow for BPL and maybe that's the factor he failed to secure a first place in Soton 2013 beside that the manager already exchanged.

Here, 3 players from Molde that maybe will rejoin with Ole in Cardiff.
Nyland (GK), Daheli (MF) and Berget (SS)

Code:

http://www.rbnett.no/100Sport/fotball/eliteserien/article410590.snd

plus Magnus Eikrem (Heerenveen), it's like Norwegian who plays in Wales club which join in English association

I'm not sure about on loan with Man United players or other, too risky to rely on a player who rarely play in BPL with the target to secure Cardiff for relegation. IMO

Hello bluebirds! I'm just a random Norwegian guy but with the Imminent arrival of OGS as your new manager I'd like to talk about a few potential transfer targets from Molde. I think it's very likely OGS will bring 1-2 players.

1. Mats Moeller Daehli - position: creative midfielder - age: 18
We've had some decent talents in Norway the last decade like Iversen, Carew, Riise and Flo but this guy is the best Norwegian youngster I've seen. Has a natural ability with the ball moves it up the pitch very well! Was supposed to play for Norway u19 this year but was of course too good so the moved him to u21. In his only game there he was the best player by miles and they called him up for the national team. Came on against Denmark and was the best player there as well. In terms of playing style he reminds me of Andres Iniesta in the way he picks up the ball and moves it forward with neat touches and great vision. His passing accuracy is spectatular for an 18 year old (+90%). He was part of the youth team of Mancester United 2011-2013 and was voted best player there but chose to join OGS and get first team opportunities at Molde. This is a very determined young man with great potential and I expect him to be a Cardiff player by the end of January. You will be lucky to have him!

2. Vegard Forren - position: central defender - age 25
Left footed central defender that loves a good battle on the pitch! He was the best player in the Norwegian League 2012, after which he was sold to Southampton. He arrived when they changed manager and never got a chance in the team. They were playing Yoshida at centerhalf instead of him which I found strange at the time, but maybe he struggled to adapt. Molde also struggled without him as they went from champions to relegation battlers the first part of this season! but OGS handled the adversity well, brought back Forren to Molde and they started winning again. Forren also shined whenever Molde played better teams in Europe (Stuttgart, Heerenveen, Basle, Steua Bucuresti, Copenhagen etc). He has not really found back his 2012 form but I still expect OGS will try to bring him in to fight for the place next to Caulker!

Thanks for the information, You’ve probably guessed by now that not a lot of members on this site know anything about football in Norway.
As it happens the two players you mention ( Daehli and Forren ) would fit in to the Cardiff side easily. We need someone with imagination in the midfield, someone who can change a game, and we are desperate for a centre half as Turner is now a liability in this position costing us goals and games.

Eriksen,you would probably have worked out by now that they know very little about football i general

Hi!

As a Norwegian from Kristiansund I know some about Molde players and the only person good enough imo is Mats Møller Dælie - the biggest norwegian talent in ages. His also a favorite of OGS and have been training him for the last 4 years or so. Also when he was playing for the man united reserves.

If u get OGS u will gets Mats. As for other Molde players, I cant see any good enough. ...Maybe the keeper - Ørjan Nilsen. Cardiff have a good goal keeper?

yes the goalkeeper position is our strongest area we got a good back up goalkeeper and marshall is a top class goalkeeper

whats this thing with tom ince, hes an average player in the championship with a dad who inflates his ego. Really hope we dont go after him, hes not the answer to our problems.

I agree we don't want Ince.

He's turned us down once when he was hoping to go to a so called big club but that didn't work out for him did it.

We only want players who'd die for the City and he clearly isn't one of those.

Malky already forgotten , big walk out didn't happen at Sunderland because you were winning at the time?.. Not having a dig all supporters are the same, they just want the club to be successful. If your club is doing well your happy so with Ole coming in you will get behind him. Tan has made alot of mistakes but if he stays in the backgroung you will forgive, however with his ego and sunglasses it won't be long before he fecks up again.

Why do you care?

whats this thing with tom ince, hes an average player in the championship with a dad who inflates his ego. Really hope we dont go after him, hes not the answer to our problems.

I agree we don't want Ince.

He's turned us down once when he was hoping to go to a so called big club but that didn't work out for him did it.

We only want players who'd die for the City and he clearly isn't one of those.

Agree entirely Skewett, would find Montero a bit tasty though

Eriksen what sort of system does OGS like to play, formation, personnel, gameplan, through middle/ down wings /possesion?

Hi!

As a Norwegian from Kristiansund I know some about Molde players and the only person good enough imo is Mats Møller Dælie - the biggest norwegian talent in ages. His also a favorite of OGS and have been training him for the last 4 years or so. Also when he was playing for the man united reserves.

If u get OGS u will gets Mats. As for other Molde players, I cant see any good enough. ...Maybe the keeper - Ørjan Nilsen. Cardiff have a good goal keeper?

Cardiff has one of the best goalkeepers in the league

Eriksen what sort of system does OGS like to play, formation, personnel, gameplan, through middle/ down wings /possesion?

He plays a big passing game

Cardiff City woo Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with £25m January transfer budget to beat relegation.

Molde manager and former Manchester United striker is expected to be appointed as Malky Mackay's successor on Thursday and will start spending his kitty immediately

Well, well well - 3 players - exactly what Malky said!

Very true

Eriksen what sort of system does OGS like to play, formation, personnel, gameplan, through middle/ down wings /possesion?

He likes to play the pass and move style he picked up from his time at Man United. Formation is of less imortance but he often played 4-3-3 with wingbacks bombing forward. In loads of games where Molde would dominate possession he played Magnus Eikrem as a playmaker similar to the role of Paul Scholes at United. Obviously he has 18 tough games this year and will need to adopt his style to the Cardiff squad.. In Europe, when the Molde players sometimes were outclassed in terms of quality, he would go for a more counterattacking style with men behind the ball. Actually these games impressed me more than the free-flowing attacking style in the Norwegian League.

What is more important than tactics however is his ability of getting the best out his players, I would say mainly because he is a genuinly nice bloke! He had no business winning the league in his first season in Norway..! And he has that steely ambition and winning mentality to go with his personality.

I never expected Ole to take on Vincent Tan and that makes this appointment super exciting. Now you have our best manager and probably our best young player Daehli soon. With them follows thousands of new fans so lets all hope he will be given time to keep Cardiff City in the Premier League, good luck!

When it became apparent that OGS was going to be our first manager, my first thought was I hope he brings Mats Moeller Daehli with him. Grew up in the same team as Januzaj and a couple of years ago looked as good a player back then.

I do believe though that part of the deal that took Daehli to Molde was a clause that gave Man Utd a first option to buy back. So if Cardiff were to move for him we would need United to stay clear. I wouldn't be at all surprised if United or other big clubs want him.

But maybe the OGS factor could work in our favour...

... Also on Joniesta. If there is any credence to this rumour, I would rather we move for him late in the transfer window. Though I think Palace will go down, they have been impressive of late. Giving one of our rivals spending money in exchange for a potential and not ready made talent, I don't think is smart. As criticised as he is, Pulis could put £5m+ to very good use in my opinion.

Eriksen what sort of system does OGS like to play, formation, personnel, gameplan, through middle/ down wings /possesion?

I'm a Molde fan, so I think I know a few things about this. Solskjaer likes to play an attacking 4-2-3-1. He is emphasizing pace – especially at the back and wing positions. Very attacking-minded at the back. Traditionally Solskjaer's main philosophy when it comes to the last third, is flair and vision. However, in his last season at Molde he was more opportunistic in the sense that he played a target striker(Daniel Chima Chukwu) in games he didn't expect his team to have a great deal of ball possession. He loves to rotate the team from one match to another; don't be surprised to see 4 or 5 player changes in the first eleven relative to the previous game. In early domestic cup games he will probably change the whole team.