“He stepped up” Besiktas president explains why Solskjær is staying

Ole Gunnar Solskjær has faced mounting pressure at Besiktas in recent weeks as his team struggles to find form, even during pre-season. The former Manchester United manager had enjoyed a strong start to his tenure, guiding the club to Europa League qualification at the end of last season.

However, the summer has not gone according to plan. Besiktas suffered an early setback when they were eliminated from the Europa League at the qualifying stage. Their focus has now shifted to the UEFA Conference League, but concerns remain among sections of the fanbase regarding the quality and consistency of performances.

Pressure to Compete with Rivals
Solskjær is confident in his ability to succeed and believes he requires more time to implement his vision. Nonetheless, the demands at Besiktas remain high. The club is determined to close the gap on Turkish heavyweights Fenerbahce and Galatasaray, both of whom have greater financial resources. While Besiktas cannot match their spending power, they continue striving to position themselves as the best among the remaining contenders in the league.

The pressure is further intensified by the club’s ambition to achieve immediate success. Recent results have led to heightened speculation over Solskjær’s future, with media reports suggesting that his position could be under review if performances do not improve swiftly.

Club Leadership Stands by Solskjær
Despite the rumours, the leadership at Besiktas has moved to publicly back their manager. According to Dagbladet, the club’s president has made it clear that Solskjær retains their full confidence. Explaining the decision, the president stated, “We will give Solskjaer time, he has our support. He stepped up when we were at our lowest, that’s why he has our support.”

This endorsement signals that the club is prepared to resist calls for immediate change and is instead placing its trust in Solskjær’s ability to turn the team’s fortunes around. His past record and his willingness to take charge during a difficult period appear to have earned him credit with the board.

As the season approaches, the challenge for Solskjær will be to translate that support into results on the pitch. Success in the Conference League and a strong domestic campaign could silence critics and reinforce his position at the helm of Besiktas.