By Gareth James
Ethan Horvath has hailed the influence of Ole Gunnar Solskjær on his career after joining the Manchester United legend’s former club Cardiff City.
Solskjær handed Horvath his senior football debut at Molde in 2015 – with the American going on to become the Norwegian club’s first choice shot-stopper.
And Horvath described Solskjær – who has been touted as a replacement for Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich – as a “top coach” ahead of the Bluebirds’ game at home to Stoke City on Saturday.
“I know he (Solskjær) had a good time here and he enjoyed the club and the city,” said Horvath, who joined the Welsh capital club in January.
“My first experience with him was unbelievable, he’s an amazing guy, a top coach and a top person. The years I spent with him were very good.
“I played Europa League with him at Molde which was a nice experience, we played some good teams and had a really successful run there. Those are memories I’ll always have to look back on with him.”
🗣️ "It's been good for me to get the games in quick and fast, get the cobwebs out and get back to the Championship, because it's a tough league."
Ethan Horvath spoke to the press ahead of Saturday's match at CCS ⬇️#CityAsOne
— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) February 22, 2024
Horvath has enjoyed back-to-back promotions from the Championship with Nottingham Forest and Luton Town.
But after failing to feature under Steve Cooper and Nuno Espírito Santo at Forest this season, the 28-year-old admitted he had to leave the City Ground to remain in contention for USA selection.
“I was truly lucky enough to go to the World Cup, that’s also something that’s probably in my top five moments,” he added.
“That’s why I went to Luton to get the games. Coming here hopefully is an advantage with getting game time.
“We have March coming up, then we have the Copa America in the summer. It’s up to the manager to decide what to do, I can only do my best and play my part here.”
🗣️ "There hasn't been any contact yet, the same counts for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer"
Sky Germany reporter Felix Fischer says Bayern Munich have not been in touch with Zinedine Zidane or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer about replacing Thomas Tuchel as manager 👔 🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/2byoJlGJBa
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 20, 2024
Horvath has started three games in succession for Cardiff, keeping his first clean sheet for the club in a 0-0 draw with Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday night.
And while he attracted plenty of interest during the January window, Horvath admitted a Championship switch will bolster his chances of featuring for the US.
“I wanted to leave (Forest) in the summer,” added Horvath.
“There were decisions out of my control being made that didn’t allow me to move. That’s in the past.
“For however many months it was, I worked hard until we got to the January transfer window.
“Cardiff wasn’t the only option, there were other teams as well. We kept our options open, different leagues, different countries.
“We think Cardiff was the best scenario because of how difficult the Championship is and how well respected it is around the world. You have to fight every single game, every game is different.
“When I look at that and think of the national team, that’s a big bonus. If you can put in good performances in a good season then it’s the national team manager’s decision to decide.”
📆@MichaelChopra netted a last minute leveller against Stoke City back in 2007! 🎯#CityAsOne pic.twitter.com/eqsvZ4EGxX
— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) February 23, 2024