Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Former Manchester United manager signs Beskitas deal
Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been confirmed as Besiktas’ new head coach.
The 51-year-old Norwegian signed an 18-month contract with options for 2026-27 in his first managerial role since being sacked by Manchester United in 2021.
Besiktas – 16-time Turkish Super League champions – are sixth and have been without a permanent manager since Dutchman Giovanni van Bronckhorst left last November.
Istanbul club said: “We are confident that Solskjaer will make a significant contribution to our club and we warmly welcome him to the Besiktas family and wish him great success.”
The former striker replaced Jose Mourinho on a temporary basis at Old Trafford in December 2018 before signing a three-year deal in March 2019.
During his time in charge, he guided the Red Devils to a second-place finish in the Premier League and a Europa League final, but was sacked due to poor performances and left the club without winning a trophy.
Before being appointed by Manchester United, Solskjaer coached Molde twice and Cardiff City once.
As a player, he scored 126 goals in 11 seasons for Manchester United from 1996 to 2007, including the winner in the 1999 Champions League final.
Besiktas is 28th in the Europa League table, just one point away from a play-off spot with two games remaining in the group stage, in which Manchester United will also play.
Solskjaer will challenge Mourinho’s Fenerbahce away in the Super League on May 4.
