Beşiktaş will visit José Mourinho's Fenerbahçe in the 34th round of the Turkish Super League. This marks Ole Gunnar Solskjær's first Istanbul Derby collision with Mourinho.
Prior to the match, head coach of Beşiktaş Solskjær gave an interview and thought about his past with Manchester United.
Seeing united battle is heartbreaking
“Manchester United is my family, that will always be. In football you don't really feel sorry for someone because we are privileged – 100% privileged – to work at such a club.
But for me it hurts to see because it is your family struggling. Looking at the table at the weekend, it never feels easy. “
Solskjær spoke about United for a long time before he returned to the subject Beşiktaş.
Why he chose Beşiktaş
Smiling, he said: “You have not been here long enough. This club is fantastic. I had conversations with many clubs, but in the end I did nothing. This is the only club where I, after talking to them, thought:” I wish I was there “because it is potentially huge.”
“You feel the identity and culture of the club deep; the values are honesty and community service. We were the first Turkish club that played abroad. In that sense it looks a lot like Manchester United. It reminds me of my time there.”
Solskjær and the “Look for Elke” values of the Ferguson era
In Manchester United, Solskjær tried to teach the mentality with which he was very well known from the era of Sir Alex Ferguson – care for everyone.
In December 2018, he returned to Carrington after receiving a desperate call from the then executive chairman Ed Woodward and immediately returned this approach. Woodward hoped that Solskjær could bring a smile back to the club, which had become toxic under the term of office of Mourinho.
As a new manager, Solskjær handed out chocolate bars to the staff – a habit he had saved as a player. Beloved receptionist Kath Phipps was the first to receive one. In January 2025 Solskjær flew to the UK to attend the funeral and Wake of Phipps, where many former players were also present.
That day he and many others pointed out how United's current leadership seems to break the current leadership of the past.
“Everyone knows that you need time to form a team the way you want,” said Solskjær.
“But you have to deal with what you have, not just the way you want.
He was about to say something about another club that he admires and then paused.
“Yes. But you know when you … actually I don't have to say it,” he said.
“Recruitment is probably the most important thing in football. You need the right structure and to get the right people. When you manage players of two, three, four or even five different coaches, it is difficult to keep the team balanced and to form in your ideal team.
Everyone knows that success requires consistency and patience – but not much can actually achieve it. “
In the Europa League team I only acknowledge Maguire, Lindelöf and Bruno Fernandes
The day after the interview, United Net Athletic Bilbao had defeated to reach the Europa League final. Solskjær lifted up about the players he still knows.
“For me, Harry (Maguire) has always been a leader and a hunter. I never doubted that he would be our captain when I signed him.
Bruno Fernandes is also our captain – both are top people. I was really happy for them last night.
Because I left the club, only those two and Victor (Lindelöf) kept in touch. I hope things are going well for them. “
A few minutes later, walking from the training ground from Beşiktaş to the main building for lunch, he showed his “care for everyone” values in action.
Two young fans approached him for selfies and signatures. He not only agreed, but also stopped 19-year-old Ecuadorian winger Kenny Arroyo-Die in February at the club came to take a photo with them for £ 6.4 million.
How could United McTominay sell?
Working with Solskjær in Beşiktaş are former United -goalkeeper -coach Richard Hartis and Tom Green, who left his role as a senior performance analyst of United in February to become main analysis at the Turkish club.
The Mourinho team comprises ex-altandy midfielder Sofyan Amrabat and Fred-De one half of the “McFred” midfield pairs next to Scott Mctominay.
The subject Solskjær desperately left United's recruitment and sales decisions, including allowing McTominay to leave for Napoli.
“Scott and Fred – Those two are guys you would give 100% for every day. I can't understand why they sold McTominay,” said Solskjær.
About the importance of recruitment and team building
“Everyone knows that you need time to form a team. But you have to manage it with what you have. Some things I wanted my team to do – we just couldn't. We were in financial difficulties, and we may not have spent wisely.”
“Look, recruitment is perhaps the most important thing in football. You need the right structure, the right people. When you manage a group of players who have been left by several managers, it is difficult to build your ideal team. Everyone talks about continuity and patience, but few deliver.”
I look forward to seeing Mourinho again
Since arrival in Turkey, Solskjær has not spoken with Mourinho, but he looks at him.
They broke for the last time a week before Mourinho was fired by Spurs-after a row over a controversial goal of Heung-Min.
“If my son had done that, I wouldn't feed him,” Solskjær had said. Mourinho's answer was iconic: “Son is lucky that his father is a better man than ole. As a father you have to feed your children – even if you have to steal to do it.”
“I remember that,” Solskjær shrugged. “You have to take care of your own team. He is absolutely charismatic. I don't think someone of us has changed too much. I look at him again. Hopefully the headlines will all go over football – nothing else.”
He expects a fiery atmosphere in şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium
“I have seen how fans of Galatasaray are. If you win those games at home, nothing goes beyond,” Solskjær said.
“But if you don't win at home, there is nothing worse. Football is all about moments.
Athletic Bilbao had two or three big chances, but Victor (Lindelöf) cleared one from the line and suddenly everything changed. “
“In football, the boundary between winning and losing razor-thin is. Sometimes luck is more important than quality. Hopefully it will be a bad night for Mourinho.”