According to media reports, Manchester United decided to dismiss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after an emergency meeting of the board of directors following the sudden and harsh 4-1 defeat against Watford yesterday, Saturday, in the Premier League.
The unlucky Norwegian apologized to the German fans after the match at Vicarage Road and it seems almost certain that he will be relieved of his duties after another unexpected big defeat.
And what confirms the news of the dismissal;
A virtual meeting was held between the club's owners and its board of directors, not to mention the continued collapse of the team and no sign of stopping it and returning to the path of victories.
Former player Darren Fletcher - now technical director at Old Trafford - will take charge of the next two Manchester United matches against Villarreal (Champions League) and Chelsea (Premier League) until a permanent successor to the Norwegian coach is found, with Zinedine Zidane and Leicester coach Brendan Rodgers, in List of candidates by management team.
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Solskjaer appeared resigned and ready to leave the club after watching his team collapse in front of lowly Watford.
The American Glazer family - the team's owner - called an urgent meeting to determine the club's direction and whether Solskjaer should remain in his position after the latest unexpected setback.
According to the British newspaper, The Times, the decision to dismiss the Norwegian has been taken, and he is only waiting for the official announcement.
It was reported that the meeting was officially scheduled more than two hours after the end of the match, and the payment of Solskjaer's dues - amounting to 9 million euros (he signed a new 3-year contract last July) - was high on his agenda.
The British newspaper's report claims that United and Glazer are now intensifying their interest in Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane, and they see the French - the 3-time Champions League winner with the Spanish giant - as a clear alternative to Solskjaer.
And other British media reports said that Solskjaer had already “farewelled” the players, staff and his technical and medical staff after the severe defeat, and in an atmosphere that the dismissal would be announced in the next few hours.
The Manchester Evening News also claimed that the players and technicians at the "Manchester" camp were crying after the final result, and even the United players believed that the Norwegian would be sacked in the coming hours.
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The alternative is Zidane at all costs
The 48-year-old Norwegian has won only 4 games in the last 13, and the collapse in form was remarkable against Watford, after successive defeats at home against arch-rivals Manchester City and Liverpool.
The Times reports that Joel Glazer has asked team officials to intensify their pursuit of Zidane.
However, the Frenchman previously had no desire to take the helm at Old Trafford during the middle of the season, although he is now set to be welcomed with new signings.
Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers was also brought up as an option, but the Irishman himself recently poured cold water on the speculation, saying rumors of a move to Old Trafford were "simply meaningless".
Speaking right after the defeat to Watford, Solskjaer refused to answer questions about his future, although he admitted that speculation now would be higher than ever.
"I've been working for the club and with him for 18 years," Solskjaer said. "We have good contacts and if the club is thinking of doing something, it's between him and me."
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With the defeat at Vicarage Road, United have now lost 4 of their last 5 Premier League games, conceding 16 goals in the process and have the worst defensive record of any team in the top 10.
And Solskjaer continued, "The results are not good enough, and we know that .. We did not lose in 30 consecutive games away from home, and now we are defeated in two games and conceded 4 goals in each, so of course there is something wrong."
"We know we are on a very bad road and our situation is awkward, but this is football and I know they will support everyone who is on the pitch every day, and sometimes you have to say sorry."
As for Zidane, his wife Veronique is against the idea of living in Manchester and would prefer him to take a longer break before returning to football.
However, the prospect of being linked with two of his former Madrid superstars (Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane) could be a major allure for him, and will make his task of rebuilding the team somewhat easier.