Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Takes on UEFA Role as Technical Observer
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to return to England this week in an official UEFA capacity, rather than in the Manchester United dugout many expected. The former United manager was considered for the interim role at Old Trafford before the club opted for Michael Carrick, whose early results have strengthened that decision.
Carrick Starts Strong as Solskjaer Watches On
Manchester United’s choice of Carrick has delivered an immediate bounce. The former midfielder has overseen Premier League wins against both Manchester City and Arsenal, results that have pushed United into the top four and eased pressure around the club’s managerial situation.
Solskjaer, meanwhile, has been out of club management since leaving Besiktas earlier this season. While he remains unattached at club level, his current responsibilities ensure he still has a close view of elite football and of one of United’s biggest domestic rivals.
UEFA Technical Observer Duty Brings Solskjaer to Anfield
The Norwegian is serving as a UEFA technical observer for this season’s Champions League, one of more than 20 high-level football figures tasked with analysing games across the competition. That role will take him to Anfield this week, where he will be in attendance for Liverpool’s home tie against Qarabag.
Solskjaer will be monitoring a Liverpool side under scrutiny after a heavy Premier League defeat at Bournemouth at the weekend, a result that allowed United to move above them in the table. In Europe, though, Arne Slot’s team are in a far stronger position. A victory over Qarabag would secure a top-eight finish in the overall Champions League standings and remove the need for an additional play-off round later in the season.
What a UEFA Technical Observer Does
UEFA’s technical observers work closely with the organisation’s Performance Analysis team during each assigned match. They collect and assess video and data from multiple camera angles, including broadcast feeds, tactical views and high-behind shots, either live at the stadium or remotely.
Their remit goes beyond simply tracking results. Observers study tactical trends, physical demands, and individual performances, including emerging young players, to build a broader picture of how the competition and the game are evolving. Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez, who also serves as an observer, has described the role as a way of watching matches in a more holistic manner, focusing on development and new tactical patterns rather than just one team or outcome.
In addition to their analytical responsibilities, each observer selects the official player of the match for every game they cover. Collectively, the group later votes on the player of the season, young player of the season, team of the season and goal of the season in the Champions League. The player of the season award has been in place since the 2021/22 campaign, with Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembele the most recent recipient.
High-Profile Names on UEFA’s Analysis Team
Solskjaer is part of a high-profile cohort of coaches and former managers recruited by UEFA for this technical role. Former Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou and ex-England boss Gareth Southgate are among those also involved, alongside Martinez and other experienced figures from the international and club game.
For Solskjaer, the assignment offers continued involvement at the top level while he remains out of club management. His presence at Anfield will add an extra layer of intrigue to Liverpool’s Champions League fixture, as a former Manchester United manager studies one of the club’s fiercest rivals in a formal analytical capacity.