Ole Gunnar Solskjaer misses out as Besiktas confirm ex-Arsenal star as new boss | Football

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Solskjaer has not managed since leaving United (Picture: Matt McNulty/Getty Images)

Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has missed out on a return to management with Besiktas confirming Giovanni van Bronckhorst as their new head coach.

Solskjaer has not managed a club since leaving United in November 2021, turning down a number of roles with clubs and national teams since leaving Old Trafford.

The Norwegian appeared to be closing in on a return to the dugout having held talks with Besiktas with ESPN reporting the Turkish side were hopeful of getting a deal across the line.

However, the Turkish side have now confirmed the appointment of former Arsenal, Barcelona and Netherlands star van Bronckhorst.

The 49-year-old is back in management for the first time since parting ways with Rangers in 2022, replacing former Portugal boss Fernando Santos.

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He will join Jose Mourinho in the Turkish Super Lig after the former Tottenham, United and Chelsea boss’s spectacular arrival at Fenerbahce last week.

Plenty of fireworks are expected next season with the Portuguese in charge with Mourinho taking a swipe at his two most recent employers Tottenham and Roma on his first day in the job.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst

Giovanni van Bronckhorst back in the dugout (Picture: NurPhoto via Getty Images).

‘The social dimension of the club was something that I knew, I even played against Fenerbahce when I was at Manchester United, so I knew but the level of organisation of a certain project had an impact on me,’ Mourinho said.

‘Then comes the second part of it – what is ambition and what is a safe place and comfortability.

‘My house is in London, to have a London club to fight to be six, seventh, eighth, ninth, and to try to make a miracle and qualify for the Europa League – is that ambition?

‘Everybody knows I love Italy, to have a team in Italy where you have to make a miracle to win a European competition, and you stay always between fifth, sixth and seventh, is that ambition just because I love Italy?

‘To be in Portugal, to be at home, to visit my mum every day, is that ambition?

‘Ambition is to play to win, ambition is to feel the heat, ambition is to feel the pressure of having to win every match if you want to be champion and this is the reality of Fenerbahce.’


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