Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praised his Besiktas players after winning his first game in charge (Image: Getty/Express Sport)
enjoyed some fine moments at during his three-year spell, but none apparently can measure up to what he experienced with his new job with Besiktas.
The Norwegian after succeeding Giovanni van Bronckhorst in the job, with the former Gunners man sacked in December.
The 51-year-old arrived to huge fanfare in Istanbul and his highly-anticipated debut in the dugout could not have gone any better as Besiktas secured victory in the Europa League.
His side roared to a 4-1 win over Athletic Bilbao at Vodafone Park, leaving Solskjaer delighted with their efforts.
Milot Rashica scored the first goal of Solskjaer’s reign before Unai Nunez ruined the Norwegian’s half-time team-talk. But if anything, it gave his players the wake-up call they needed as they dominated the second half.
Rashica put his side back in front and doubled his own tally in the process on the hour mark before Rafa Silva and a Joao Mario penalty clinched a convincing win for the Turkish outfit.
Footage from inside the dressing room appeared to show the boss giving his players a well-deserved appraisal of their performance, hailing their win as “one of the best feelings I’ve ever had”.
“That is teamwork, togetherness. That is a proper team,” Solskjaer said, in the video clip posted on X (formerly Twitter). “It was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had in my life as a coach.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer celebrates after Besiktas beat Athletic Bilbao 4-1 (Image: Getty)
– Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s message to the Beşiktaş squad after their 4-1 victory over Athletic Club in his debut match:“That was one of the most incredible moments I’ve ever experienced as a coach.”
— Frank(fan) (@AmorimEra_)
“This is special. I know it’s been difficult. Now we keep calm and go to the next one. But I got to say thank you and well done.”
It is the first managerial role of any kind that Solskjaer has taken on since he was sacked by United in November 2021.
He failed to win a trophy during his three-year tenure at the club where he won the Treble as a player, although he did guide United to second place in the in 2020-21.
Solskjaer reportedly had several offers to return to the – he was on the radar for jobs at Leicester City and West Ham United – but waited for his next opportunity.
Besiktas won 4-1 against Athletic Club in their first game under Solskjaer (Image: Getty)
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And after taking the job in Turkey, he will attempt to chase down Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce, who are battling with leaders Galatasaray for the Super Lig title.
Besiktas are currently sixth in the Super Lig and 20 points off the pace as they face Antalyaspor on Sunday afternoon.
But after appointing Solskjaer, they could be set for a late push for the European qualification places after an impressive win on Thursday.