Ole Gunnar Solskjaer leaves Cardiff City: Norwegian steps down after less than nine months in charge

Tony Pulis early favourite to replace former Manchester United striker

Cardiff manager insists the situation between Cardiff and Malky Mackay is not his concern (GETTY IMAGES)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has left Cardiff City after less than nine months as the club's manager.

The Norwegian won just nine of his 30 matches in charge at the club and couldn't steer the club clear of relegation last season. The announcement was made after Solskjaer held talks with with chairman Mehmet Dalman.

The 41-year-old, who took over from Malky Mackay on 2 January, has started badly in the Championship, with the Bluebirds 17th after three losses in seven matches Tony Pulis is the early favourite to replace Solskjaer, with Paul Hartley, Dave Jones and Neil Lennon also in the running.

Cardiff owner Vincent Tan, speaking on the club website, said: "Ole was hired by Cardiff City on our understanding and belief that he would help us fight relegation from the Barclays Premier League. Unfortunately that did not happen. After the Club was relegated many people advised me to let him go, but I decided to keep Ole on for the Championship season. Regrettably our recent results do not justify Ole’s continued role as manager at Cardiff.

Cardiff were relegated last season and are currently 17th in the Championship (Getty)

"Ole has therefore decided to step down and I have accepted this. During my short association with Ole, I have found him to be an honest and hardworking professional, but unfortunately the football results were not in his favour. As long as I am the owner of this Club, Ole and his family will always be welcome in the Chairman’s Suite as my guests. I wish Ole the very best in his future career in football. We now begin the process of finding his replacement and working towards giving all our stakeholders in Cardiff City the results they deserve."

Solskjaer added: "I want to thank Vincent for giving me the opportunity to manage Cardiff City FC. He has my full respect and I really wish him all the best in his pursuit of making this football club successful. However, our difference in philosophy on how to manage the club made me decide to step aside and allow the Club to move forward in the direction Vincent wants.

"I leave the Club with some very talented players and want to thank them for their efforts and hope to see them challenge for promotion this season. I also want to thank Mehmet Dalman for his continued and loyal support and feel I have gained a new friend."

Danny Gabbidon and Scott Young will take charge of the side for the trip to Derby County.