Published: Today at 13:18
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has left the door open for Aston Villa - despite flying back to face a barrage of criticism in Norway.
The former Manchester United striker caused a storm at his club Molde by jetting to England for discussions about replacing sacked Alex McLeish.
Solskjaer said of his talks: "It's up to Aston Villa if there's going to be any more.
"I have only spoken to them, and I would expect that they will be talking to others.
"If they contact me I'll have to make a decision but it's not like there's a private plane standing waiting.
"I've said for a long time that I have an ambition to be a Premier League manager. But I haven't been looking for a new job."
Solskjaer also claimed he would see out the last two years of his contract.
But that might be an attempt to appease Molde's billionaire backer Kjell Inge Rokke, who reacted to Solskjaer's talks by withdrawing his company's 20-year support.
Old Trafford legend Solskjaer, 39, and wife Silje were collected from their home town of Kristiansund yesterday before flying to Birmingham for a four-hour meeting that also involved his agent Jim Solbakken.
Solskjaer suggested afterwards it was just an "initial, informal chat".
But Rokke - the major shareholder in Molde's sponsors Aker ASA - said last night he had failed to get answers from Solskjaer before he flew off for his talks with Villa.
Solskjaer responded today by saying: "We strive for personal development and players who do well get requests all the time.
"I was asked by a friend whether I was interested in speaking with Villa. I called Kjell Inge straight away. We agreed that I could speak to them on Wednesday, that it was okay.
"I don't feel that I have lost anyone's confidence.
"I had a good chat with Molde this morning where we agreed that we should look forward. We have some challenges we need to tackle.
"I will also speak to Kjell Inge as I must apologise for the way this came out."
Molde fans have also turned on their former favourite.
Eva-Brit Mauseth, a leading member of supporters group Tornekrattet, said: "Kjell Inge is worth more to me than any coach.
"If Solskjaer wants to leave the district with any dignity, then he has a job to do in the coming months," she said.
Solskjaer insists he was simply doing what most ambitious players and managers would do.
He said: "Roberto Martinez has been given permission to speak to Liverpool, who are a fantastic big club and you know he has ambitions - not a problem.
"The communication could have been better and clearer, we see that with hindsight. But now we are where we are, it's obvious that we have to work together.
"The players are used to speculation about me. What is new is we have lost the backing from Aker ASA, which I understand has been discussed at length.
"Whether it's coincidence or not, it's happened now, we'll get answers. I received a text from Rokke today and we'll discuss it with each other soon."
Solskjaer hit 128 goals in 367 matches for United, including a famous late one in the 1999 Champions League final win over Bayern Munich.
He retired in 2007 following a knee injury.
And, after coaching United's reserve team, Solskjaer took over Molde in 2010.
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