Manchester United accelerate search for a director of football after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appointment

The club are believed to have already spoken to Domenico Teti, Juventus’ Fabio Paratici and Giuseppe Marotta earlier this year

Manchester United will now ramp up their search for a director of football after confirming Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as interim boss, as they seek to make an appointment in that area before the signing of any long-term manager in the summer.

Club officials already began to make contact with targets and potential candidates as early as August, but Jose Mourinho was never in favour of the idea, and it is understood that difference was a key factor in the eventual reason to sack him.

The Portuguese could not see why it was necessary while it was there, but United are now acutely aware of the need to drastically change the football side of the club and introduce proper technical expertise beyond the head coach.

The Independent reported in August and October that figures like Domenico Teti, Juventus’ Fabio Paratici and Giuseppe Marotta had already been sounded out, but the club now want to move onto the next stage of the pursuit and properly talk to candidates.

Through Sir Alex Ferguson, they have already spoken to heavyweight football figures like Marcello Lippi, in order to get as much expertise as possible as they make an appointment seen every bit as important as the next manager.