Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Besiktas Victory Celebrated by Turkish Media
Turkish sports outlets have been vocal and positive in their assessment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s impact at Besiktas, especially after their recent crucial derby win.
Former Manchester United manager, Solskjaer, aged 52, took the reins at Besiktas in January and has quickly turned things around. In his first 12 games, he has impressively guided the team to eight victories, alongside one draw and only three defeats. This marks a significant return to management for Solskjaer since his departure from Old Trafford in November 2021.
The highlight of his tenure so far undoubtedly came this past Saturday. Besiktas, known as the Black Eagles, triumphed over fierce city rivals Galatasaray in a thrilling 2-1 encounter. Goals from Rafa Silva and Gedson Fernandes secured the win, overcoming an opening goal from Galatasaray’s Lucas Torreira.
Besiktas Aiming for Europa Conference League Spot
This victory propelled Besiktas to fourth place in the highly competitive Turkish Super Lig standings. This league position currently puts them on track to qualify for the Europa Conference League play-offs in the upcoming season, providing a significant boost to the club’s ambitions.
Following the derby win, Solskjaer expressed his satisfaction, highlighting team effort and tactical preparations:
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“It was a fantastic team effort,” Solskjaer stated.
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“Good preparations, good focus and then 100 minutes of hard work were key to this victory.”
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“Beating top teams is always a challenge, and Galatasaray are a very good team, making this win even more rewarding.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer celebrated a 2-1 victory with Besiktas (Credit:Getty Images)
The positive sentiment was echoed by Turkish media outlets. Here’s a glimpse into how they reacted:
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Duhuliye: The outlet praised Solskjaer’s tactical approach, stating, “Ole’s system worked. Let’s give credit to Ole. It was a wise choice… to start the match in a 4-6-0 formation.”
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Semih Sezerli (Journalist): Sezerli highlighted Solskjaer’s strategic acumen: “With Solskjær’s analysis of Galatasaray, he identified his opponent’s weaknesses and used his own team’s strengths to checkmate Okan Buruk,” implying Solskjaer outmaneuvered the Galatasaray coach.
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Skorer: This sports site emphasized Besiktas’ overall dominance: “Beşiktaş deserved to win in every way… Of course, the chief architect of this success is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who studied very well,” crediting Solskjaer’s preparation as key to the victory.
Solskjaer’s move to Turkey wasn’t sudden. In a February interview with The Athletic, he admitted to receiving “many job offers” before choosing Besiktas. It seems his decision is paying off both on and off the pitch as he embraces life in Istanbul.
Solskjaer is also clearly enjoying the cultural immersion in Turkey:
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“I’ve visited the Maiden Tower from the James Bond movie, visited the Grand Bazaar,” Solskjaer shared about his experiences.
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He jokingly mentioned blending in, or trying to: “I’ve got grey hair now and I’m easy to spot, so I put a cap on and walk around.”
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“You can’t just lock yourself in a bubble here, you must try to embrace the city where you live and experience the culture.”
Food is another aspect of Turkish culture Solskjaer is enjoying, though with moderation:
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“The food is amazing, but I’m trying to keep healthy and must watch what I eat,” he said, balancing indulgence with professional discipline.
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He added, “I’ve had a few good kebabs too and been to BBQs at the president’s place,” indicating he’s experiencing local cuisine and hospitality.
Looking ahead, Besiktas are set to continue their campaign in the Turkish Cup quarter-finals against Goztepe on Thursday, April 3rd. Fans will be eager to see if Solskjaer can continue this positive momentum and lead Besiktas to further success.
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