Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and former Leeds boss Jesse Marsch 'on the shortlist for surprise international job' after Jose Mourinho and Frank Lampard both turned down the role

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Jesse Marsch are on the shortlist to lead Canada into the next World Cup after Jose Mourinho and Frank Lampard both turned down the role.

Canada are looking for a new manager to replace John Herdman, who resigned a the end of August to take over at Toronto FC in the MLS.

Herdman's former assistant Mauro Biello has served as interim manager for the past eight months, but the Canadian FA wants a permanent manager in place ahead of the 2026 World Cup - which the country is co-hosting.

And according to the Evening Standard, both Solskjaer and Marsch are among the candidates for the role, along with former Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka and former Chelsea coach Paul Clement.

Solskjaer has been out of work since he was sacked by Manchester United in November 2021, four months after signing a new three-year deal.

The Norwegian replaced Mourinho on an interim basis in December 2018 and led United to second place in the Premier League in 2020-21, when they also lost the Europa League final to Villarreal on penalties.

Meanwhile Marsch, a former US international and assistant, has not managed since he was sacked by Leeds in February last year, just 12 months after replacing Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road.

Mourinho, who was sacked by Roma in January, is understood to have declined the opportunity to discuss the role with the Canadian FA.

His decision came just two weeks after Lampard ruled himself out of the running for the position after emerging as a surprise candidate for the role earlier this month.

According to The Telegraph, Lampard has decided against taking the role after holding initial talks with the Canadian Football Federation.

The 45-year-old attended England's training sessions ahead of the Three Lions friendlies against Belgium and Brazil last month and remains keen to return to management.

'I’m enjoying being with the family and looking to get back at some point,' he said.

'Hopefully something comes up that feels right for me, I’m keen to get working again but as I reiterate, I’m enjoying family life.

'You love the job. You understand the rigours of it in the modern day. I’ve enjoyed all the clubs I’ve worked with. 

'They’ve all been big challenges for different reasons. I enjoy working with players, improve players and the team, so let’s see what comes.'