Football: Solskjaer steps down as Cardiff manager

LONDON - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has stepped down as manager of English second-tier side Cardiff City after nine months in the job, the Championship club announced on Thursday.

The Norwegian former Manchester United striker, 41, failed to prevent Cardiff's relegation from the Premier League last season and saw his side slip to 17th place in the Championship this term.

Solskjaer paid tribute to Cardiff's Malaysian owner, Vincent Tan, for giving him his first managerial role in English football, but said they had different views on how to take the club forward.

"I want to thank Vincent for giving me the opportunity to manage Cardiff City FC," Solskjaer said in a statement on the club website.

"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."

British media reports claimed that while Solskjaer wanted greater influence over Cardiff's transfer policy, Tan wanted him to focus purely on training-ground matters.

Tan said: "During my short association with Ole, I have found him to be an honest and hard-working professional, but unfortunately the football results were not in his favour.

"As long as I am 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." Cardiff chairman Mehmet Dalman said the two parties had "decided to part company amicably".

Solskjaer arrived in Cardiff from Norwegian side Molde in January after Malky Mackay had been sacked, but he won only five of his 25 league matches at the helm.

Coaches Danny Gabbidon and Scott Young, both former Cardiff players, will take charge of the first team for their trip to Derby County on Saturday.