Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to return to management with Beşiktaş after more than two years since his departure from Manchester United. The former striker has garnered significant attention since leaving his role at Old Trafford and appears ready to embrace this substantial challenge.
Beşiktaş has been without a permanent manager since firing Giovanni van Bronckhorst due to disappointing performances. The Turkish club is currently struggling, sitting sixth in the Super Lig and trailing behind the league leaders. Interim coach Serdar Topraktepe has been managing the team during this transitional phase, but reports indicate the club's leadership is eager for Solskjær's expertise.
According to Turkish journalists Yağız Sabuncuoğlu and Sercan Dikme, who report on sports for Sports Digitale, Beşiktaş has extended a formal offer to Solskjær. The reports state, "Ole Gunnar Solskjær is about to become the new head coach of Beşiktaş." It is anticipated Solskjær will observe Beşiktaş’ upcoming match against Samsunspor and will take charge for their Europa League clash against Athletic Bilbao shortly thereafter.
The news of Solskjær's impending appointment has sparked excitement among fans and analysts alike, as his return aligns him with the Turkish football scene, where he could potentially cross paths with his former rival, José Mourinho, who currently manages Fenerbahçe. Mourinho has been vocal about his frustrations with the toxicity enveloping Turkish football, making Solskjær’s entry even more compelling as he seeks to establish his identity apart from the shadows of his predecessors.
Solskjær, at 51 years old, has been out of management since November 2021 when he was sacked by Manchester United. His managerial career began after he initially joined United as caretaker manager, during which time he led the team to 14 wins from 19 games, earning him the full-time managerial position. Despite this impressive start, he later faced challenges and failed to secure any trophies during his managerial tenure, culminating with a penalty shootout loss to Villarreal in the Europa League final.
Interestingly, recent reports suggest Solskjær had numerous options on the table since leaving Manchester United, including potential roles within Premier League clubs like Leicester City or West Ham, as well as international coaching positions. Yet, none of these offers were compelling enough until now, with Beşiktaş extending their hand for his services.
The prospect of managing Beşiktaş presents Solskjær with not only the opportunity to regain his footing within football management but also possibly rekindle his passion and expertise on the international stage. The Turkish giants boast not only considerable fanfare but also the prospects of engaging with prominent teams in European competitions, raising the stakes for Solskjær.
This move provides Beşiktaş with seasoned leadership as they recover from their recent struggles. The club is nurturing aspirations of regaining their status not only within Turkey but also on the European stage. They require astute guidance on and off the pitch, something Solskjær’s experience could provide. His knowledge from previous stints at Cardiff and Molde, along with his illustrious playing career at Manchester United, bolsters expectations surrounding his capabilities.
Solskjær's return to the dugout will serve as both his fourth managerial role and as his first experiencing Turkish football operations. It will be fascinating to observe how he adapts to this new environment, which differs significantly from the Premier League robustness he has dealt with previously. His strengths as a players' manager could be pivotal in steering the squad toward improvement.
The upcoming weeks will be pivotal for Solskjær and Beşiktaş as they prepare for matches against both league and continental opposition. Their performance could signal the beginning of Solskjær's latest chapter, with hopes set on restoring pride within the club's achievements.
With football fans eager to see how Ole Gunnar Solskjær navigates the Turkish league's challenges alongside managerial rivalries, his tenure at Beşiktaş promises to be laden with high stakes and potential allure for both players and supporters.