Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has already achieved something at Besiktas that hasn't happened in 65 years and it speaks volumes
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has already achieved a historic feat at Besiktas, which no manager had done in the previous 65 years.
Solskjaer, 52, was announced as the new head coach of the Super Lig side on January 18, having previously been without a managerial role since he left Manchester United in 2021.
The Norwegian has won six, drawn one and lost one of his eight games in charge of the Istanbul outfit, which has seen them to fourth in the Turkish top flight, having played a game less (23) than those above them.
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Speaking in an interview with The Athletic, the 52-year-old explained why Besiktas was the right job after so long without a coaching role.
“I’ve been offered many jobs, but it had to be the right opportunity,” said Solskjaer.
“At least 40. But they weren’t right; I need to be in my job. I’m a people-person; I use the human capital around me.
“So why Besiktas? It’s a huge club with a great history in an amazing city. But I’d spoken to them twice before, six months ago and a year ago. It was different this time with the president and the way he spoke about bringing the old Besiktas back with values and respect.”
During the recent run of good form, he achieved several historic records. Since he took charge of the side, they have averaged 2.38 points per league game - this is the best points-per-game ratio of any Besiktas manager since Andras Kuttik, who managed the club in 1959 until 1960 before returning in 1961-62.
Besiktas have also averaged two goals per game in the league and are on a five-game winning streak for the first time this term.
Of course, Fenerbahçe – managed by Jose Mourinho – and Galatasaray dominate Turkish football for the most part, but Besiktas are a well-supported club in their own right and last won the title during the 2020/21 campaign.
“I don’t want to think too much about Fener and Gala,” Solskjaer explained when asked why the aforementioned sides are so far ahead of the rest.
“We need to do things our way, a different way: my way, the president’s way. But there was no panic in the transfer window.
“We need to think long term, to get the right players in for the right value and money. We don’t have crazy money to spend and waste.”
Solskjaer’s team will return to action in the Super Lig on Saturday when they face Kayserispor at their home stadium, Tüpraş Stadyumu.
Topics: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Besiktas, Turkish Super Lig, Football
Luke Davies