Manchester United's announcement that they'd hired Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was gazumped by Norway's Prime Minister.
Norway's Prime Minister Erna Solberg has explained how she prematurely broke the news of Ole Gunnar Solksjaer's appointment as Manchester United's caretaker manager several hours before the club issued the formal announcement.
Solberg congratulated her fellow Norwegian on landing the job only to hastily delete the tweet once she realised she'd inadvertently broken the embargo.
She again took time to congratulate Solskjaer while also managing to include a gentle barb in the general direction of his predecessor at Old Trafford.
"I deleted the tweet when I realised with horror that Solskaer's appointment could open the path for [Jose] Mourinho coaching my team, Brann," Solberg said in a statement to ESPN.
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"No, jokes aside, like most Norwegians I was eagerly waiting to hear from Old Trafford last night. When I saw what I took to be a confirmation, I tweeted my congratulations, but then saw that it was a bit too soon."
Solberg went on to assure everybody that the mistake was a genuine one and that there is no clandestine collusion going on between her office and the Red Devils' boardroom.
"So, there is no secret communication between the Norwegian PM and Manchester United Football Club," she added. "Now, on the other hand, I am happy to congratulate Ole Gunnar. This definitely is a big day for Norwegian football."
Just about every retired ex-United player seemed to have their name speculatively mentioned in connection with the vacancy, but it is Solskjaer who has now been tasked with riding out the remainder of the season.
Several of the Norwegian's former teammates were quick to offer their support, with David Beckham first among them.
Rio Ferdinand followed suit with a similar message, including a photo of the pair celebrating a goal during their time together at Old Trafford.
David Beckham and Rio Ferdinand were among the first to congratulate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The ex-United cheerleaders were joined by some of Solskjaer's fellow countrymen, with Jan Aage Fjortoft and Jon Arne Riise both speaking of their pride in his appointment.
Wow!
Ole Gunnar Solskjær the manager of Man UTD!!!!!
Am so proud of him!
I wish him all the best.
Norway will now delay Christmas, snow and skiing! https://t.co/IGH6W9koiA— Jan Aage Fjortoft (@JanAageFjortoft) 19 December 2018
Solskjær new manager for Man U. That's just insane!! Being a Norwegian and having the pleasure of playing with and against him, I am so proud of him! It's a great opportunity for him as a manager. This shows everything is possible with hard work! I wish him all the best?⚽️
— John Arne Riise (@JARiiseOfficial) 19 December 2018
Of course, there were also a few inevitable "super sub" quips hither and thither.
BREAKING: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer becomes Man Utd manager, but only for the last 3 minutes of each game.
— Have I Got News For You (@haveigotnews) 19 December 2018
I would have appointed Andy Cole as the new Manchester United manager. Then replace him with Solskjaer with a few games to go.
— steve (@mirkobolesan) 19 December 2018
Absolute scandal that Solskjaer hasn't been given a little Wikipedia loan arrow → pic.twitter.com/7Ndz9rl41L
— Adam Hurrey (@FootballCliches) 19 December 2018
However, the most overjoyed response to United's latest manager came from a punter who stuck £5 on Solskjaer on the sage advice of ESPN FC writer Mark Ogden, only to swiftly find himself £250 better off as a result.
Thanks fella. Owe you a pint. pic.twitter.com/zXqmxTF5AF
— Stevo (@sjc_84) 19 December 2018
Not a bad little windfall the week before Christmas.
United fans the world over will be desperately hoping that Solskjaer is allowed to enjoy a similar vein of good fortune over the prevailing months.
Source: espn.co.uk