Solskjaer set for return to management - three years after Man United axing

The 51-year-old hasn't held a managerial role since being axed by Manchester United in November 2021 following a shock 4-1 defeat at Watford.

At this stage last year, the Norwegian was in talks about returning to football to take charge of Sweden's national team, but ultimately missed out to Jon Dahl Tomasson.

But he is now set to finally step back in the dugout of a club as he prepares for a new chapter in Turkey.

First reported by Turkish news outlet Sports Digitale, Solskjaer will pen a one-and-a-half-year deal in Istanbul.

He is expected to be officially announced by the Super Lig side in due course.

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The club released a statement to confirm they are in talks to hire him.

In an official club message on Friday morning, they said: "Talks have started with head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer."

Solskjaer's imminent new role in Turkey means he will come up against Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho, who he replaced in the hot seat at Old Trafford in December 2018.

However the pair have some time to wait before their first meeting against one another, with the two teams to face each other next in May.

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It has been claimed that Besiktas turned to Solskjaer after ex-Bayern Munich boss Niko Kovac turned down the role.

Besiktas have been on the lookout for a new manager since parting ways with ex-Arsenal left-back Giovanni van Bronckhorst in December.

The Dutchman's exit at the club saw Serdar Topraktepe take charge of Besiktas on an interim basis.

As it stands, the club currently sit sixth in the table - a whopping 20 points behind leaders Galatasaray.

And Solskjaer will be hoping his experienced players step up in the second half of the season with silverware still available in the form of the Turkish Cup, with the club in danger of missing out on a Europa League knockout play-off spot as they sit 28th in the 36-team table.

Solskjaer will be able to count on ex-Arsenal duo Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Gabriel Paulista, along with Euro 2020 winner Ciro Immobile up top.

Should all go to plan, Solskjaer's first match in charge will come against Athletic Bilbao next Wednesday.

It is understood that he will be in the stands at Besiktas Stadium to watch their league clash with Samsunspor on Saturday.

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