Harry Diamond
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has recommended that Manchester United appoint Mike Phelan as the club’s technical director.
Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is currently considering candidates to become Manchester United‘s first-ever technical director as part of a management restructure, with Mike Phelan having been mentioned.
Phelan returned to the club as assistant manager after Solskjaer was appointed as caretaker manager in December, having previously worked in the same role under Sir Alex Ferguson between 2008 and 2013.
Despite Solskjaer since being appointed on a permanent basis, 56-year-old Phelan is yet to extend his contract at Old Trafford and is believed to be keen on becoming the club’s technical director.
According to The Times, Solskjaer has told the club Phelan is the right man for the position and given his backing for him to take the role.
Phelan previously worked as Sporting Director at Australian A-League side Central Coast Mariners, before returning to Old Trafford late last year.
Woodward is also believed to have spoken to former United defender Rio Ferdinand regarding the position, with the Manchester Evening News claiming that the 40-year-old impressed during talks.
Having spent 12 years at Old Trafford, Woodward believes Ferdinand’s understanding of the ethos of the club makes him a viable candidate for the role.
Read: Ferdinand refuses to discuss Manchester United technical director rumours
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