Blog - Solbakken appoinment is leftfield but promising

Google searches for Stale Solbakken will have rocketed by at least 5,000 per cent in Wolverhampton yesterday

Google searches for Stale Solbakken will have rocketed by at least 5,000 per cent in Wolverhampton yesterday

At first the suggestion that a 44-year-old Norwegian, recently sacked for guiding a club towards relegation in Germany after previously enjoying success in Denmark, seemed, at best, farfetched.

But as day turned to night it became clear that Stale Solbakken, a man whose name sounds more like a bottle of out-of-date suntan lotion than a football manager, was indeed the next Wolves boss.

Astonishing really – talk about coming out of left field.

Anyone looking at pictures of this man may have thought they'd accidentally searched for Crystal Maze master of ceremonies Richard O'Brien, or even Olympic arm-turner and leg-kicker Duncan Goodhew, such is Solbakken's lack of any kind of a reputation in this country.

Initial reactions from talking to fellow fans veer from shock, to disbelief, and then back to shock again.

But, aside from the obvious notion that Stale is a headline writer's wet dream, the overriding feeling is that this is a fascinating appointment.

I'll level with you, my knowledge of Danish football or Norwegian managers is fairly limited, and I know little of the man other than from Copenhagen's meetings with Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea, and for the fact he had a heart attack which ended his playing days.

To beat United and draw a leg apiece against City and Chelsea is no mean feat, and neither is taking a club as unfashionable as Copenhagen to the last 16 of the Champions League.

The standout achievement though is winning five Danish league titles in six years.

While the Superliga might not be held in the highest of regards, it's a few rungs up from Scotland in the coefficients ladder and to attain such prolonged success certainly suggests that Solbakken knows how to forge a sustained winning mentality, something of course badly required at Molineux.

His standing in Europe was fairly high this time last summer, but the fact we're able to attract him to the second tier of English football is down to the unquantifiable disaster he's had with Cologne this season.

It's certainly a stain on his previously impeccable CV, but Cologne as a club are a bit of a car crash, sacking managers like they're going out of fashion and being relegated from the Bundesliga five times in 15 seasons.

Balance the failure in Germany with the six-year project at Copenhagen and it's the latter which carries far more weight, but he will have been scorned by his tumultuous experience with Cologne.

So Solbakken, who like his predecessors MM and TC presumably won't be affectionately referred to by his initials (particularly seen as he's coming from Germany) arrives on these shores with something to prove.

By all internet-based accounts he's big on tactics and discipline, is a feisty character not afraid to ruffle a few feathers (such as Pep Guardiola's) and likes his teams to play progressive football.

At 44 he's fairly young and no doubt ambitious, won't be dragged down by any baggage from previous clubs in England and will bring fresh ideas and a completely clean slate to the current squad, again something desperately needed.

So far, so good.

Importantly he'll be given a fair crack of the whip by supporters who won't knock him for being the previous manager's assistant, or for not getting so-and-so promoted, or for getting so-and-so relegated.

Of course the worry is that he's got no managerial experience in England and the Championship is an unforgiving environment in which to cut your teeth.

That's why Terry Connor is staying on board and while it's easy to deride him for his failings as a manager, Connor will play a vital role in the transition phase that's ahead of us, reverting to providing that all-important link between the players and the manager.

Given time, patience and support, as I'm sure Solbakken will be, if he has talent it will shine through.

And from the club's perspective the timing of the appointment couldn't have been better – it's just what we need to bookend this horrific season and look forward to the next.

Hopefully when Solbakken is unveiled the tone coming from Messrs Morgan and Moxey will continue in the same vein from the end of season awards on Wednesday, one beginning to approach humility and remorse for what's happened, but with grounded optimism at what's ahead.

It seems the penny has finally dropped – words like dreadful and horrific are now being used in their long-overdue recognition of the mistakes they've made, as well as two apologies from Moxey now.

It had been an impressive five years under the three Ms but the project imploded spectacularly in year six, and it took too long for Morgan and Moxey to recognise that.

However, while we can't forget what's happened, it's time to put that behind us and look ahead to this new dawn with a new manager.

And Solbakken could – just could – be what this club needs.

He's a gamble, a risk, almost a shot in the dark, but I tell you what it's just nice to be excited about events at Molineux again, after the rank apathy of the past few weeks.

Solbakken might be the new Arsene Wenger, or he might be the new Egil Olsen, but he'll certainly get my support in what will be a real baptism of fire in the Championship next season.

Welcome to the club, Stale.