Solskjaer says Besiktas job reminds him of Man United stint
Newly-appointed Besiktas manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes his new role has similarities to his stint as Man United head coach.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes his role as Besiktas head coach has similar characteristics to the job he took on at Manchester United.
Solskjaer was appointed as the new manager of the Turkish club over the weekend, signing a contract which runs until the end of next season with the option of a further year.
This is the Norwegian's first managerial role since being sacked by United in November 2021, despite winning 91 of his 168 games in charge across all competitions.
And the 51-year-old believes the task ahead is similar to the one he took on in 2018.
"This project seems a little bit like Manchester United to me. We were sixth, then we became third and then second. And this is step by step," Solskjaer said.
"And, of course, we're here to win, so hopefully we can make it faster. But we have to be realistic.
"And yes, I had many offers, but as I said before, it had to be the right offer worth me moving away from my perfect life."
Besiktas, who have won the Turkish Super Lig title 16 times, are currently sixth in the standings, and have been without a permanent head coach since Giovanni van Bronckhorst left in November.
Solskjaer has spent over three years out of management but after holding discussions with the hierarchy at Besiktas, came to the conclusion that this role was the right one to return to.
"You need to feel that heartbeat racing again, because you ask 'do you have the energy?' and the project that the President and the board have been talking to me about it was the right thing I needed now," he added.
"I've been following United (since I left) and it's difficult when it goes down. You just need to turn the boat, and hopefully we can turn the boat quickly here."
Solskjaer oversaw 168 games in charge of United in all competitions, winning 91 of them and holding a 54.17% win rate. In the Premier League, he averaged 1.81 points per game.
His first match will be in the Europa League against Athletic Club, with the Turkish side currently 28th in the standings and one point off the play-off positions.
