Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's eight-month tenure at Turkish giants Besiktas, which ended with his sacking in August 2025, is being viewed through a new lens as the Norwegian is linked with a shock return to Manchester United as interim boss.
The Turbulent Reality Behind the Headlines
On the surface, the statistics appear damning. Solskjaer was dismissed after failing to guide Besiktas into the group stages of either the Europa League or Europa Conference League at the start of the 2025/26 season. However, according to football journalists Kaan Bayazit and Elnur Kuliev, this outcome fails to capture the full, chaotic context of his spell in Istanbul.
Solskjaer took charge of the club in January 2025, following the dismissal of Giovanni Van Bronckhorst. He inherited a side languishing in seventh place in the Super Lig and, by all accounts, in deep turmoil. "It was probably the lowest point I'd seen Besiktas at in my 25 years of following the club," revealed Besiktas podcaster Kaan Bayazit. "It was a really difficult job."
Memorable Highs and Systemic Limitations
Despite the challenges, Solskjaer's reign began with a stunning 4-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League, a result Bayazit described as "deserved" and built on the "best football they had played all season." He also masterminded a crucial victory over fierce rivals Galatasaray, a result that preserved Besiktas's unique record as the only Turkish side to complete an entire league season unbeaten (1991/92).
Ultimately, Solskjaer guided the team to a fourth-place finish. However, both experts agree his tactical approach was hampered by a poorly constructed squad. Bayazit pointed to a critical lack of wingers as a fundamental flaw Solskjaer identified but was never given the chance to address. "He was adamant about the fact that he needed wingers but never got the chance," Bayazit stated, arguing Solskjaer largely maximised the potential of the players available to him.
A Premature Exit and Lessons for Manchester United
The failure to qualify for Europe proved the final straw for a panicky board, leading to Solskjaer's dismissal. Bayazit is adamant this was a mistake, blaming a president without the "backbone to resist some media pressure." Kuliev cited deeper institutional problems, including financial mismanagement and an impatient environment for results in Turkish football.
Yet, this very experience is what leads Bayazit to believe Solskjaer could be a shrewd short-term appointment for his former club, Manchester United. "I think it would be great for United. He has the ability to bring that team together again," he said. While unsure if Solskjaer is the man to restore long-term glory, Bayazit highlighted his proven capacity to stabilise a chaotic situation and restore joy to a squad – qualities United may currently value above all else.
