Besiktas Parts Ways with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer After European Exit

Besiktas has officially terminated the contract of head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer just hours after their disappointing exit from European competition. The Turkish club fell to a 1-0 defeat against Swiss team Lausanne-Sport during the second leg of their UEFA Conference League play-off on August 31, 2023. This loss means Besiktas will not participate in any European tournaments for the current season, marking a significant setback for the club.

Solskjaer’s team had already been eliminated from the Europa League qualification rounds earlier in the month. Despite a strong start to their domestic campaign with a 2-1 victory over Eyupspor in their Turkish Super Lig opener, the club made the decision to part ways with the former Manchester United star only eight months after his appointment.

The club released a statement confirming the dismissal: “Our contract with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been terminated following a decision made at the board meeting. Following the meeting, our chairman, Serdal Adali, thanked Solskjaer for his services to date. We respectfully submit this for the public’s information.”

Solskjaer, aged 52, managed to win more than half of his 29 matches in charge, leading Besiktas to a fourth-place finish in the league last season. His tenure at the club followed a three-year hiatus from management after being dismissed by Manchester United in November 2021.

In the first leg of the play-off against Lausanne-Sport, the teams played to a 1-1 draw. Expectations were high for Besiktas as they hosted the return fixture in Istanbul. The lineup featured notable players such as former Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista, Wilfred Ndidi—recently transferred from Leicester City—ex-West Ham midfielder Joao Mario, and former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham.

The match took a turn for the worse when Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, a summer signing from Arsenal, scored just before halftime for Lausanne-Sport. Besiktas’ situation deteriorated further when Felix Uduokhai received a straight red card less than a minute into the second half. Despite Solskjaer’s attempts to shift the momentum with tactical changes, his team could not find the equalizer, allowing Lausanne-Sport to advance to the Conference League.

Solskjaer’s future remains uncertain, with speculation linking him to various potential roles, including the Norwegian national team. Stale Solbakken, the current manager and a friend of Solskjaer, has indicated he will step down after the 2026 World Cup, which leaves an opening that could align with Solskjaer’s career aspirations.

As Besiktas searches for a new head coach, former Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool midfielder Nuri Sahin has been mentioned as a possible candidate to fill the role. The club now faces the challenge of regrouping and aiming for a successful season in the Turkish Super Lig after this setback in European competition.