Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been sacked by Besiktas just hours after the Turkish giants were dumped out of the Conference League by Lausanne-Sport on Thursday night
22:43, 28 Aug 2025
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - AUGUST 14: Head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer of Besiktas looks on during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 Third Qualifying Round Second Leg match between Besiktas and St Patricks at Tupras Stadium on August 14, 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)
Besiktas have sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer(Image: Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)
Besiktas have confirmed the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer just hours after their failure to reach the Conference League. The Turkish club suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Swiss outfit Lausanne-Sport in the second leg of their play-off encounter on Thursday.
This result ensures Besiktas will be absent from European competition this season. Solskjaer's team had already missed out on Europa League qualification through the play-offs, though they did secure victory in their Turkish Super Lig opener, defeating Eyupspor 2-1.
Club bosses have swung the axe eight months after appointing the former Manchester United icon as their head coach. The club released a statement saying: "Our contract with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been terminated following a decision made at the board meeting.
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ISTANBUL, TURKIYE - AUGUST 17: Head coach of Besiktas Ole Gunnar Solskjaer watches the Turkish Super Lig week-two football match between Besiktas and ikas Eyupspor at Tupras Stadium in Istanbul, Turkiye on August 17, 2025. (Photo by Beyza Comert/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Head coach of Besiktas Ole Gunnar Solskjaer(Image: Beyza Comert/Anadolu via Getty Images)
"Following the meeting, our chairman, Serdal Adali, thanked Solskjaer for his services to date. We respectfully submit this for the public's information."
The 52 year old Solskjaer won over half of his 29 matches in charge, guiding Besiktas to fourth place last season. After his United dismissal in November 2021, the Norwegian had remained out of management for three years before taking this role, reports the Mirror.
Besiktas had drawn 1-1 in the first leg against Lausanne-Sport - a club owned by United's part-owners INEOS - the previous week. When the sides reconvened for the return fixture in Istanbul, the hosts were expected to progress.
The starting line-up for Besiktas included former Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista, Wilfred Ndidi - recently signed from Leicester - ex-West Ham midfielder Joao Mario and former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham. The home side was left reeling when Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, a summer signing from Arsenal, put Lausanne-Sport ahead just before half-time.
ISTANBUL, TURKIYE - AUGUST 17: Head Coach of Besiktas Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gives tactics during Turkish Super Lig week-two football match between Besiktas and ikas Eyupspor at Tupras Stadium in Istanbul, Turkiye on August 17, 2025. (Photo by Beyza Comert/Anadolu via Getty Images)
As for Solskjaer's future, he's previously been suggested as a potential successor for the Norwegian national team(Image: Beyza Comert/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Besiktas' evening took a turn for the worse when Felix Uduokhai was sent off with a straight red card less than a minute into the second half. Solskjaer made a series of changes in an attempt to shift the momentum, but their Swiss rivals held on to secure their place in the Conference League this season.
Solskjaer's position came under scrutiny following a defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk in the Europa League qualification play-offs. Former Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin has been linked with the role.
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As for Solskjaer's future, he's previously been suggested as a potential successor for the Norwegian national team, having represented his country 67 times and netted 23 goals during his distinguished playing career. Current Norway manager Stale Solbakken, a friend of Solskjaer, has stated that he'll step down when his contract ends after the 2026 World Cup campaign.