Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, manager at Manchester United, has confirmed that he would prefer a hole in his squad over a “a***hole” as he referred to “personal agendas” that held the club back last season.
“I would prefer a hole in the squad rather than an a***hole,” Solskjaer told United We Stand. “Personality is so critical. In a team environment, we are a family. You want players to have some ego and edge but they have to be willing to adjust.”
Now back in training after the coronavirus pandemic with his side, he has stressed the necessity of a good team environment, noting that any players with personal agendas are not welcome:
“Players were emotionally exhausted, psychologically emptied and we had injuries in March 2019. Players started with pessimistic thinking, although it is positive thought now.
“There will still be people who wish to play more in football, so if a squad wants to be competitive then at various periods people have to be available.
“I don’t feel like we have one bad apple in this squad.”
