Besiktas want Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to challenge Jose Mourinho in Turkey next season.
The Black Eagles are refusing to give up on the 51-year-old Norwegian, who flew to Istanbul for talks with the Super Lig giants last December. The former Manchester United boss, who has been out of work since being sacked by Manchester United in November 2021, is understood to have rejected a one-and-a-half-year contract following those discussions.
But now he features high on Besiktas' newly-revised shortlist after they parted company with ex-Portugal boss Fernando Santos in April.
While Besiktas won the Turkish Cup, they limped to a measly sixth-place finish and have also been turned down by a number of big-name coaches including ex-Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders. And the club's hierarchy want to revive their fortunes quickly after rivals Fenerbahce pounced to wrap up the shock appointment of Mourinho.
Solskjaer remains a dream target, though currently, ex-West Ham boss Slaven Bilic looks the more likely candidate to take over the reins at Vodafone Park.
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Bilic is understood to be ready to leave his current position at Saudi Pro League side Al-Fateh to return to Besiktas, who he previously managed between 2013 and 2015.
Sergen Yalcin and ex-Liverpool midfielder Nuri Sahin, who is the current assistant manager of Borussia Dortmund, are also in the frame.
Slaven Bilic is now the favourite for the Besiktas job (PA)Speaking on Gary Neville's Stick to Football Podcast back in March, Solskjaer claimed he was not ready to return to management.
He said: He said: "I have a few offers but I'm not ready. It's got to be somewhere I can be myself, not like anyone dictating 'you need to do this, you need to do that'. Because when you have been at United and managed them. You learn a few things and you want to do it your way the next time."
Sweden also made an approach for Solskjaer which he politely rejected. The former United striker also revealed he's turned down multiple offers from the Middle East, adding: "I've had offers. Most recently, two from Saudi Arabia.
"My best mate, who is also my agent, sifts through them. If you've managed Man Utd, you put your own criteria about what you want to work with. I love England and the Premier League.
"Even the Championship feels stronger than ever, but I don't feel bound to England. Maybe a different challenge where I need to experience a new culture and learn a new language. The DNA and identity of the club are important, a club where I can be the best me. It has to be a match."
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