March 2nd 2025.
Former Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, recently opened up about a decision made by his former club during the summer transfer window that left him feeling upset. Having spent over a decade at Old Trafford as a player, Solskjaer went on to manage the team for three years before his reign came to an end in 2021.
After a break of three years, Solskjaer returned to the world of football management in 2025, taking over at Turkish Super Lig club Besiktas. While his focus is now on his new team, Solskjaer still keeps an eye on Manchester United and takes pleasure in seeing some of his former players, such as Bruno Fernandes, succeed on the field.
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Solskjaer was particularly disappointed to see another one of his former stars, Scott McTominay, leave Manchester United last summer. The Scottish midfielder joined Italian side Napoli in a deal worth £25m after spending his entire career at Old Trafford. Since then, he has been an important player for Napoli, helping them challenge for the Serie A title under the guidance of manager Antonio Conte.
When asked if he still follows Manchester United, Solskjaer told The Athletic, "Whenever I can. It's always great to see players like Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire performing well. And of course, Scotty is doing great at Napoli. It's a shame that we let him go, as he was an important player for us last season, with his goals and his understanding of the club's culture."
But now, Solskjaer's focus is on Besiktas, a club with a massive fanbase in Turkey and around the world. He recalls playing an away cup game at the Olympic Stadium where 12,000 Besiktas fans turned up, but it felt more like 40,000 due to their passionate support. The Norwegian manager sees similarities between Besiktas and Manchester United, as both clubs have a strong sense of community and a rich history.
"My job here is to help every player reach their full potential, and the same goes for my staff. I want them to feel valued and important at this club," Solskjaer explains, highlighting his people-oriented approach to management.
He also revealed that he turned down at least 40 job offers during the time between his spells at Manchester United and Besiktas, as he was looking for the right opportunity. "I'm a people-person, and I rely on the human capital around me. So when the opportunity to join Besiktas came along, I knew it was the right fit. It's a huge club with a great history, and their values and ambitions align with mine," Solskjaer said.
The 48-year-old manager had previously been in talks with Besiktas twice before, but this time, the club's president's vision and passion for the team convinced him to take up the challenge. "They want to bring back the old Besiktas, with values like never giving up and always fighting. And their style of play is quick and attacking, which is something I strongly believe in," Solskjaer concluded.
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