Besiktas have announced the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer just hours after failing to qualify for the Conference League. The Turkish giants were beaten 1-0 at home to Swiss side Lausanne-Sport in the second leg of their play-off tie on Thursday.
The result means that Besiktas won't be involved in European competition this season. Solskjaer's side previously failed to make it into the Europa League via the play-offs but did win their opening game of the Turkish Super Lig campaign, beating Eyupspor 2-1.
Bestikas chiefs have wielded the axe eight months after hiring the Manchester United legend as their manager. In a statement, the club said: "Our contract with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been terminated following a decision made at the board meeting.
"Following the meeting, our chairman, Serdal Adali, thanked Solskjaer for his services to date. We respectfully submit this for the public's information.
Solskjaer, 52, won more than half of his 29 games in charge, helping Besiktas secure a fourth-place finish last term. Having been sacked by United in November 2021, the Norwegian had been out of coaching for three years prior to his appointment.
READ MORE: Man Utd finally agree Alejandro Garnacho exit as Chelsea strike £40m transfer deal
READ MORE: Ruben Amorim due to hold Man Utd showdown talks as timeline set for sack decision
Besiktas drew the first leg of their clash with Lausanne-Sport - who are run by United's part-owners, INEOS - 1-1 last week. When the teams met for round two in Istanbul, the home side were the favourites to advance.
In the starting line-up for Besiktas was former Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista, Wilfred Ndidi - who recently signed from Leicester - ex-West Ham midfielder Joao Mario and former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham. The hosts were left stunned when Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, who joined from Arsenal, this summer, put Lausanne-Sport ahead on the brink of half-time.
Besiktas' night went from bad to worse when Felix Uduokhai was shown a straight red card less than one minute into the second half. Solskjaer made a series of substitutions in a bid to swing the momentum but their Swiss opponents saw the game out and will compete in the Conference League this season.
Former Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin has been linked with the job.
Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
You may also like
One of the best games of 2025 is getting surprise story expansion
Does not suit ECI to act like a lollipop: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee
Bhopal: Farmer's Murder Cracked, Friend Arrested
Epping hotel protest descends into chaos as demonstrators clash with police
Minneapolis shooting victims named and pictured as boy, 13, and girl, 12 fighting for live