Featured Image Credit: Besiktas
Topics: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United, Besiktas, Europa League
Josh Lawless
Topics: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United, Besiktas, Europa League
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gave a brutal assessment of the predicament new club Besiktas are in less than two weeks after becoming manager.
Following his dismissal from Manchester United in November 2021, Solskjaer spent more than three years away from management and turned down a whole host of coaching opportunities.
However, he decided to return to the dugout by signing a one-and-a-half year contract with Turkish Super Lig side Besiktas on 18 January.
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Solskjaer has taken charge of three games so far, winning one, losing one and drawing one. But on Wednesday, the 51-year-old was incredibly vocal about the dire situation he has inherited with the Istanbul outfit.
The United legend was asked about potential new signings in the January and proceeded to reveal that the club's sporting department didn't exist when he arrived and the focus is on getting the structure right.
"I came in 10 days ago and we are working to bring the right people," Solskjaer said in a press conference.
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"There was no scouting department and no scouting reports when we came to the club. So that's something I also work with, that we structure the club in the right way for the future.
"Of course the short term is important, but we cannot make the wrong decisions.
"We cannot bring players, expensive players, to the club because financially the club have spent a lot of money on this. And I think the president has talked about, at the moment, the financial situation.
"The big thing now is that we sit together and prioritise what we can do this window."
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Solskjaer was speaking prior to Besiktas' elimination from the Europa League on Thursday night. His first game in charge of the Black Eagles was a 4-1 hammering of Athletic Club in the competition.
However, they suffered a 1-0 defeat away to FC Twente on the final matchday and finished four places behind the final knockout play-off spot, which went to rivals Fenerbahce - managed by Jose Mourinho.
Despite plenty of rumours, Solskjaer is yet to bring in any new recruits in the January window - though there is still plenty of time as the deadline for Turkish clubs is February 11.