Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed how his daughter played a role in his return to management at Besiktas.
The 51-year-old was appointed Besiktas manager last Friday, just over three years after his brutal sacking at Old Trafford, and got off to the perfect start with a victory on his debut.
Solskjaer, 51, joined the Turkish side on a one-and-a-half-year deal until the summer of 2026, and will earn €3.6m (£3m) during his tenure, according to the club's president, Serdal Adali.
Although the Norwegian will receive a considerable salary during his stay at the club, that was not the main incentive for his move to Türkiye, as he revealed in an interview.
talking to turkish mediaHe said: 'This project is a bit like Man United to me. We were sixth, then third and second. Step by step. I've been following United and it's difficult when things go wrong.
'I had many offers, but it had to be the right offer that was worth walking away from my perfect life.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed the strange reason that convinced him to sign for Besiktas
The Norwegian arrives at Besiktas with a contract of one and a half years until the summer of 2026
'You need to feel your heartbeat speed up again. Do you have the energy? The project seems very appropriate to me. Besiktas is not just a football club, it is a sports club.
'One thing: my daughter was born on March 3, 2003. If we go back in history, March 3, 1903 was the founding of Besiktas, so I think this is also a sign.
“She sent me a message and this is the right one.”
With Solskjaer moving to Besiktas, several reports have recently suggested that he could reunite with some of his former players, such as Marcus Rashford and Casemiro.
However, the Norwegian dismissed those claims, saying: “I come from Manchester United, so there will be transfer news like this.”
'Casemiro and Rashford are very good players, but I haven't had any contact with them. I enjoyed my time at Manchester United. That chapter is closed.'
At a signing ceremony, the Norwegian issued an impassioned statement before working with Besiktas, stating that he will not regret the decision to join them before the day he dies.
'We had excellent meetings with our president. We meet heart to heart. The links that we will establish in this team are very important,' he stated.
Solskjaer said his daughter Karna, who used to play for Man United, urged him to move.
Solskjaer, 51, has been out of work since being sacked at Old Trafford in November 2021.
Marcus Rashford has been linked with a possible move to Türkiye and a reunion with Solskjaer.
'We will create a new foundation here. This was something he wanted very much. Our president touched my heart and the hearts of the coaching staff. I followed the games and Beşiktaş while working at UEFA. I'm proud to be in a club like this.
'I know what the fans want. We will work for this every day. I'm just here to win. We have players who have a habit of winning. Beşiktaş is a team that deserves victories. “I have always looked for this in my career as a player and as a coach and that is why I came here.”
'I would regret not having accepted this before I died. What I said should not remain just words, I want to start as soon as possible.'