Baby-faced assassin Ole Gunnar Solskjaer takes the helm at Besiktas

Besiktas has officially concluded its long search for a new head coach, announcing the appointment of Norwegian football legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer famously known as the “Baby-Faced Assassin.”

The club confirmed that Solskjaer has signed a 1.5-year contract. Upon his arrival in Istanbul, Solskjaer was seen wearing a Besiktas scarf and expressed his excitement about taking on the new role.

New era begins at Besiktas

Besiktas has hired Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a former Manchester United forward and renowned football figure, as its new head coach. The club confirmed the news in a statement to the Public Disclosure Platform, saying, “Our company has started talks with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the position of head coach of the Football A team.”

Solskjaer’s arrival in Istanbul, initial comments

Solskjaer arrived in Istanbul around noon and posed for photos with a Besiktas scarf. This moment was a memorable one for the club’s supporters. In a brief statement, Solskjaer said, “I am very happy to be here. We’ve had our first meetings, and I’m looking forward to starting my work. It’s wonderful to be in this amazing city.”

Solskjaer also praised Besiktas’s passionate fanbase.

The fans are incredible. They are true football supporters, always backing their team with unwavering loyalty.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

In an interview with Besiktas’s YouTube channel, Solskjaer added: “Everyone is smiling, and I feel at home here. I’m really excited; this is a big challenge. Besiktas is a great club with a rich history. The project we discussed with the president is very close to my heart, and I’m inspired by the president’s vision for football. Our fans are incredibly important to us.”

Solskjaer’s previous encounter with Türkiye

Interestingly, Solskjaer also has a historical connection with Türkiye on the pitch. On 15 August 2001, during a friendly match between Norway and Türkiye at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo, Solskjaer scored in a 1-1 draw.

This match remains a memorable moment in Solskjaer’s international career, adding a unique dimension to his story with Türkiye.

Solskjaer begins transfer talks at Besiktas

Solskjaer wasted no time and immediately began focusing on Besiktas’s transfer strategy. His first target is Tom Lawrence, a midfielder who previously worked with Solskjaer at Manchester United.

Lawrence currently plays for Glasgow Rangers, and his contract is set to expire in six months. This potential transfer would be a significant move for Solskjaer, leveraging his past experiences to strengthen Besiktas.

Solskjaer’s managerial career milestones

After retiring from playing in the 2007-2008 season, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer began his managerial career. He first managed Manchester United’s reserve team before moving to Norway to coach Molde, where he won Norwegian championships.

Solskjaer led Molde to two Tippeligaen titles in 2011 and 2012, and he also won the Norwegian Football Cup in 2013. In 2014, he became the manager of Cardiff City, although his time there was less successful.

Solskjaer was appointed Manchester United’s interim manager in 2018 and later became permanent in 2019. Under Solskjaer, Manchester United reached the UEFA Europa League final in 2021 before he was dismissed.

As a player, Solskjaer was instrumental in Manchester United’s history, famously scoring the winning goal in the 1999 UEFA Champions League final.

He also won multiple Premier League titles, FA Cups, and other major honors during his time at United. Solskjaer is known for his attacking football philosophy, which he is expected to bring to Besiktas.

Books written about Solskjaer

Solskjaer’s career and life have inspired many to write books about him. One such book is “Baby Faced Assassin: The Biography of Manchester United’s Ole Gunnar Solskjaer” by Ian MacLeay. This biography delves into Solskjaer’s life and football career, capturing his remarkable rise to fame at Manchester United.

The book highlights his ability to score crucial goals, including the legendary last-minute winner in the 1999 UEFA Champions League final, securing Manchester United’s treble.

Despite being plagued by knee injuries, Solskjaer earned 60 caps for Norway and became a key figure for both his national team and club. The book explores his natural footballing talent, his cerebral approach to the game, and his eventual transition into coaching.

Another biography, titled “Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Biography,” by Ian MacLeay, further details his journey from a striker to a manager. It covers his 126 goals for Manchester United, his famed super-sub role, and his emotional return to Manchester United as a caretaker manager in 2018, where he turned the team’s fortunes around.

Honors, achievements of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Throughout his illustrious playing and managerial career, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has accumulated numerous prestigious honors and accolades, showcasing his exceptional talent and leadership both on and off the pitch.

Below are the key honors and achievements that highlight his remarkable journey in football.

Player honors

• Clausenengen
  • 3. divisjon: 1993
• Manchester United
  • Premier League: 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07
  • FA Cup: 1998–99, 2003–04
  • FA Charity/Community Shield: 1996, 2003
  • UEFA Champions League: 1998–99
  • Intercontinental Cup: 1999

Managerial career achievements

• Manchester United Reserves
  • Lancashire Senior Cup: 2007–08
  • Manchester Senior Cup: 2008–09
  • Premier Reserve League North: 2009–10
  • Premier Reserve League: 2009–10
• Molde
  • Tippeligaen: 2011, 2012
  • Norwegian Football Cup: 2013
• Manchester United
  • UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2020–21

Individual awards

• Kniksen Award Kniksen of the Year: 1996
• Kniksen’s Honour Award: 2007
• Kniksen Award Coach of the Year: 2011, 2012
• Peer Gynt Prize: 2009 (for his efforts in football and philanthropy)
• Premier League Manager of the Month: January 2019
• Knight of the Order of St. Olav, First Class, 2008

A tough challenge awaits Solskjaer at Besiktas

Solskjaer faces a tough challenge at Besiktas. The club is currently in 6th place in the Super Lig, trailing leaders Galatasaray by 20 points. Fenerbahce also sits in second place, making the competition fierce.

Besiktas has also struggled in European competitions. Solskjaer’s experience will be vital as he aims to bring the club back to the top of Turkish football and achieve success in Europe.

Solskjaer’s contract, future plans

Solskjaer has signed a 1.5-year contract with Besiktas, with an option to extend it at the end of the 2026 season. There have been rumors linking him to the Norway national team job in the future, but for now, his focus will be on securing success at Besiktas.

Fans are hopeful that Solskjaer will bring the desired results and lead the club to success.

Solskjaer’s role at Besiktas

Solskjaer is tasked with revitalizing Besiktas and restoring the club’s former success. The club has faced challenges in recent times, with managerial changes affecting stability.

However, Solskjaer’s wealth of experience and football knowledge will be key to turning things around. Besiktas fans are excited about his arrival and confident that he can lead the team to success.

The appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Besiktas’s head coach signifies the beginning of a new chapter for the club.

With his managerial experience and attacking football philosophy, Solskjaer has the potential to guide Besiktas back to the top of Turkish football. Fans are eager to see the impact he will make, and the upcoming months will be crucial for the team’s success under Solskjaer’s leadership.