Solskjaer rejects Lerner offer of Villa manager's job to stay with family in Norway

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UPDATED:

20:52 GMT, 22 May 2012

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has dramatically withdrawn from the race to become the next boss of Aston Villa.

The former Manchester United striker decided to pull out after discussions with the chairman of his Norwegian club, Molde.

Solskjaer had been the overwhelming favourite to succeed Alex McLeish but it appears that Kjell Inge Rokke has persuaded him his future lies in Scandinavia.

No place like home: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has decided to stay and manage Molde

The Champions League winner had been interviewed by Villa owner Randy Lerner late last week and it was thought that the talks with his employers would end with him leaving his post.

He was whisked to Oslo and met Rokke with his agent Jim Solbakken. It was expected that they were thrashing out the terms under which the Molde manager could leave.

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However, it appears that Solskjaer had a change of heart, citing 'family reasons' for his U-turn.

Villa had briefed that there were other names on the shortlist and they will not now include that of the Norwegian.