According to reports, Sir Alex Ferguson has been in touch with Ole Gunner Solskjaer and advised him to give the Cardiff City job a wide berth.
The Bluebirds controversially axed Malky Mackay last week, less than six months after the Scot had led them to the Premier League for the first time in their history. His relationship with club owner Vincent Tan had broken down in some fashion in recent weeks, and when made public, it was inevitable he was on borrowed time.
It has been widely reported that Solskjaer has been identified as the top target for the Welsh club, although they have so far refused to comment on such speculation. The former Manchester United striker, a legend at Old Trafford, is making a name for himself back in his homeland, having guided Molde to successive Norwegian titles.
The 40-year-old has an ambition to manage in the Premier League, but is thought to have rejected the opportunity to talk to Aston Villa when they sacked Alex McLeish in the summer of 2012. However, Cardiff will hope to persuade him to make the move in January, when they will offer him £25million in transfer funds for the window.
But according to The Sun, Ferguson has been in touch with Solskjaer over the weekend, and advised his former charge not to consider taking the job. The former Old Trafford boss, who stood down after 26 years at the helm of the Reds last summer, inevitably has reservations over the way Tan runs Cardiff, and believes the job is not worth taking.
If Solskjaer does reject the job, the Bluebirds could, according to the same tabloid, turn to another ex-United player in Paul Ince. The former England international flopped in his previous managerial position in the Premier League, at Blackburn Rovers, but is currently rebuilding his reputation in the Championship with Blackpool.
