The 52-year-old Norwegian was dismissed just hours after Besiktas were knocked out of the UEFA Europa Conference League play-offs by Swiss side Lausanne-Sport, losing 2-1 on aggregate.
Solskjaer, who was appointed in January 2025, lasted only eight months in the role — his first managerial position since being dismissed by Manchester United in November 2021.
Besiktas confirmed the decision in a short statement released after a board meeting:
“Our contract with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been terminated following a decision made at the board meeting. Our chairman, Serdal Adalı, thanked Solskjaer for his services to date.”
The sacking comes just one match into the new Turkish Super Lig season, underlining the club’s impatience after a disappointing European campaign.
Besiktas were beaten 1-0 at home in the decisive second leg, sealing their elimination from the competition owned by Ineos, the same group that now has significant control at Manchester United.
The result meant the Istanbul club crashed out of Europe altogether, a blow to both finances and prestige.
Solskjaer’s managerial career remains in limbo. Despite his history at Manchester United — where he famously scored the winning goal in the 1999 Champions League final — his time in top-level management has struggled to match his playing success.
With his Besiktas stint ending abruptly, it remains unclear where he might go next.
