Ole Gunnar Solskjær Sacked By Besiktas After European Disappointment.
Besiktas have parted ways with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær, announcing his immediate dismissal following a disappointing exit from the UEFA Conference League play-offs. The Norwegian, who took charge of the Turkish Süper Lig club in January 2025, was relieved of his duties just hours after a 1-0 home defeat to Swiss side Lausanne-Sport, resulting in a 2-1 aggregate loss that ended Besiktas’ hopes of European football this season.
Solskjær, 52, joined Besiktas on an 18-month contract, marking his return to management after a three-year absence since his departure from Manchester United in November 2021. During his tenure, he guided the Istanbul-based club from sixth to a respectable fourth-place finish in the 2024-25 Süper Lig season, securing qualification for the Conference League play-offs. Notable achievements included victories over Turkish giants Fenerbahce and Galatasaray, earning him praise as an “elite manager” among some fans. However, recent performances, including a 6-2 aggregate defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk in the Europa League qualifiers and the latest loss to Lausanne, intensified pressure on the former Manchester United legend.
The decisive blow came on Thursday night at the Tupras Stadium, where Nathan Butler-Oyedeji’s first-half stoppage-time goal and a red card to Besiktas’ Felix Uduokhai early in the second half sealed their fate. The club’s board convened an emergency meeting post-match, culminating in the decision to terminate Solskjær’s contract. In a brief statement, Besiktas confirmed: “Our contract with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær has been terminated following a decision made at the board meeting. Our chairman, Serdal Adalı, thanked Solskjær for his services to date.”
Despite the abrupt end, Solskjær’s time at Besiktas had moments of promise. His tactical acumen was evident in high-profile wins, including a 1-0 victory against Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce, a feat that made him the first foreign manager since 2003 to secure an away derby win for Besiktas against their rivals. Fans and analysts alike noted his ability to shine in big matches, a trait that echoed his successful record against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City during his United tenure.
The sacking leaves Solskjær’s future uncertain, though speculation has already linked him with potential roles, including a return to the Norwegian national team, where he earned 67 caps as a player. Besiktas, meanwhile, face Alanyaspor in their next Süper Lig fixture on Sunday, with no confirmation yet on who will take charge. Former Borussia Dortmund player and manager Nuri Sahin has been mooted as a possible successor.
The club’s supporters expressed mixed sentiments on social media, with some lamenting the decision, citing Solskjær’s earlier successes, while others felt the European exit justified the board’s swift action. As Besiktas look to regroup and refocus on domestic ambitions, the search for a new manager begins, with the club eager to reclaim their status among Turkey’s elite.
