Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Out! Besiktas Sack Ex-United Boss After UEFA Europa Conference League Exit

Last Updated:August 29, 2025, 07:45 IST

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was dismissed as Besiktas head coach after their UEFA Europa Conference League exit to Lausanne, ending his turbulent eight-month tenure in Istanbul.

Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has now been kicked out of Besiktas (X)

Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been dismissed as head coach of Besiktas, just eight months into his tenure, following the Turkish club’s elimination from European competition on Thursday.

Besiktas crashed out of the UEFA Europa Conference League play-offs after a 1-0 home defeat to Swiss side Lausanne, which sealed a 2-1 aggregate loss. The second-leg defeat in Istanbul prompted an emergency board meeting, during which the club opted to terminate Solskjaer’s contract.

“Our contract with head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been terminated as a result of the decision made during the board meeting," read a statement from Besiktas. “Our president Serdal Adali expressed his gratitude to Solskjaer for his services."

A Short and Turbulent Spell in Turkey

Solskjaer, 52, only took charge of Besiktas in January 2025, marking his return to management after a three-year hiatus. His appointment was seen as a bold move by the Turkish giants, who were eager to bring in a coach with European pedigree.

However, his reign was under pressure almost from the start. Besiktas had already endured disappointment in July when they were eliminated by Shakhtar Donetsk in the Europa League second qualifying round. Although the team managed a fourth-placed finish in the Turkish Super Lig last season, expectations of European progress were not met — and the Lausanne defeat proved to be the final straw.

Solskjaer’s Managerial Journey

The Norwegian began his coaching career at Manchester United’s reserves, before moving back to his homeland with Molde FK, where he won multiple league titles. His reputation grew, and in December 2018, he was appointed as interim manager at Manchester United following José Mourinho’s sacking.

Solskjaer impressed in the caretaker role and was handed the job permanently in March 2019. During his three-year spell, he guided United to the Europa League final in 2021 and oversaw a second-place finish in the Premier League in the 2020/21 season. However, inconsistency and a lack of silverware led to his dismissal in November 2021.

(with agency inputs)

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

Read More

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First Published:

August 29, 2025, 07:45 IST

News sports Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Out! Besiktas Sack Ex-United Boss After UEFA Europa Conference League Exit

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