OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER is on the verge of becoming Besiktas boss, according to reports - and it could be good news for a former Manchester United player.
The ex-Red Devils manager has been out of work since he left Old Trafford following a two-and-a-half year spell in November 2021.
The 50-year-old Norwegian, who was previously in charge of Molde in his homeland and Cardiff City, oversaw 149 matches with United before he was axed after a 4-1 thumping at Watford.
Now NTV Spor claim that he is on the verge of a return to the dug-out with the Turkish giants.
They claim that Solskjaer has been in talks to replace Riza Calimbay, who was sacked after just seven games at the helm, for some time.
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And now he is expected to pen an 18-month contract to take over Besiktas.
That will make him the club’s third permanent coach THIS SEASON in what has been a campaign of turmoil so far.
Besiktas sacked Senol Gunes in October after a year in charge and made Burak Yilmaz interim boss until Calimbay was appointed for his brief stint.
They are currently fifth in the Super Lig and 17 points behind bitter rivals Fenerbahce and Galatasaray.
Their poor displays led to Ivory Coast defender Eric Bailly and four other players being axed by clubs chiefs this month - that is despite the star only signing for them just 98 days earlier from United.
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His agent has claimed that his client’s “rights are being violated” after he was banished.
The 29-year-old has been plagued with injuries this season and has made just eight appearances for Besiktas.
That led to the shock announcement that he was one of the men being removed from first-team duties due to “poor performance” and “incompatibilities within the team” although his contract was not cancelled.
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Bailly joined United from Villarreal in 2016 and played under former managers Jose Mourinho and was then a regular under Solskjaer.
He lifted the League Cup and Europa League during his first season there but a number of injury problems hindered his progress in recent years.
Bailly was then shipped out on loan to Ligue 1 side Marseille last season after being deemed surplus to requirements by boss Erik ten Hag and, despite having 12 months remaining on his £80,000-a-week deal, he was made available for transfer by United in the summer.
He headed to Turkey to try to resurrect his career as Besiktas announced his signing on a one-year contract but now he will be hoping Solskjaer’s arrival can help him bounce back from his nightmare start and end his current limbo.
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