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Besiktas in Talks to Sign Former Manchester United Boss Solskjaer

The Turkish club confirms negotiations with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, potentially making him their seventh coach in just five years.

By Sebastián Hernadez

Photo taken from social networks.
Photo taken from social networks.
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Besiktas announced on Friday that they are negotiating with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to appoint the Norwegian as their new head coach. Solskjaer, who managed Manchester United from 2019 to 2021, could become the latest leader in the club’s turbulent managerial history, marked by frequent changes.

In an official statement, the club revealed, "Our organization has initiated discussions with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the position of head coach." This development was also disclosed to KAP, Turkey’s official business platform, as required for new contracts.

A New Chapter for Solskjaer

The 51-year-old Norwegian has had a storied career, both as a player and a coach. After a celebrated playing stint with Manchester United from 1996 to 2007, Solskjaer transitioned to coaching, culminating in his management of the English club. Post-United, he worked as a UEFA match analyst in 2023.

Should the deal go through, Solskjaer will inherit a challenging role at Besiktas, which has seen six head coaches and three interim managers since January 2020. Among these were notable figures like Valérien Ismaël, Fernando Santos, and Giovanni van Bronckhorst, alongside local talents like Riza Çalimbay and Senol Günes.

Besiktas' Managerial Struggles

Currently, Besiktas sits in sixth place in the Turkish Super League, 20 points adrift of leaders Galatasaray. Interim coach Serdar Topraktepe has been leading the team since Giovanni van Bronckhorst's departure in November.

The club’s instability at the managerial level has been a recurring issue, and Solskjaer’s appointment would represent another attempt to bring stability and success to the Istanbul side.

Key Points:

  • Negotiations Confirmed: Besiktas has officially entered talks with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the head coach position.
  • Experienced Candidate: Solskjaer played for Manchester United from 1996-2007 and managed the club from 2019-2021.
  • Frequent Changes: Besiktas has cycled through six head coaches and three interim managers in the last five years.
  • League Position: The team is currently sixth in the Turkish Super League, far behind Galatasaray.
  • Potential Impact: If hired, Solskjaer will aim to stabilize a historically inconsistent managerial role at the club.

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