Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is on the verge of making a managerial comeback with Turkish Super Lig side Besiktas.
The Norwegian coach has been out of management since his departure from United in November 2021, during which he turned down multiple offers from clubs and national teams.
Besiktas, who parted ways with Giovanni van Bronckhorst in November, confirmed they are in negotiations with Solskjaer.
“Our company has started negotiations with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the position of Football A team technical director,” the club said in an official statement.
This isn’t Solskjaer’s first link to the Turkish side. In June 2022, he was a strong candidate for the job before the club opted to hire former Rangers manager Van Bronckhorst. However, with Van Bronckhorst dismissed, Solskjaer is now expected to step in, reportedly signing a deal lasting until the summer of 2026.
Reports suggest the 51-year-old will attend Besiktas’ upcoming match against Samsunspor on Saturday as a spectator. His first game in charge is likely to be their Europa League clash against Athletic Bilbao midweek.
Besiktas have endured a tough season, sitting 28th in the Europa League league phase and sixth in the Turkish Super Lig. Solskjaer’s appointment aims to rejuvenate the squad and reverse their fortunes.
This marks Solskjaer’s first managerial role in three years. He initially took over as Manchester United’s caretaker manager in December 2018, replacing Jose Mourinho.
After an impressive start, he secured a full-time position, leading the team to third and second-place finishes in successive seasons. However, a poor run in late 2021, including a 4-1 defeat to Watford, led to his dismissal.
Since September 2023, Solskjaer has been working as a technical observer for UEFA. Now, he’s set to return to the dugout, hoping to revive his managerial career with Besiktas.