Solskjaer confusion cleared up

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer remains in the frame for the vacant manager's job at Aston Villa after some misleading reports emerged yesterday.

The former Manchester United striker met with Villa owner Randy Lerner earlier in the week for an informal chat about the possibility of succeeding Alex McLeish. However, the 39-year-old seemed to have ruled himself out of the running on Saturday after comments appeared in the British media indicated that he would be staying on as manager of Molde. Solskjaer had told reporters at a press conference in Norway: "I'm not looking for another job. I have not had any offers. "In football, and in life in general, things turn up that you have to make decisions about. "I have a contract for two more years and I'll stand by that." In fact those remarks weren't quite as clear-cut as they seem, as parts of Solskjaer's diplomatic press conference, which was respectful to both clubs, had been lost in translation. The former Norwegian international was simply making that the point that at this stage he hadn't been offered the Villa job and therefore had no decision to make about his future. He actually continued: "It's up to Aston Villa whether there's anything more. I've only spoken with them and expect them to speak to more people. They're looking for a new manager. If they make contact, I'll make a decision then."