Why I rejected over 40 jobs — Ex-Premier League coach in Turkey opens up on unemployment struggles

Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has spoken candidly about his three-year absence from the dugout, revealing that he turned down over 40 job offers before accepting the role at Turkish giants Besiktas. 

In an interview with The Athletic, Solskjaer dispelled rumours that he was unwanted in the football world, instead emphasising that he was waiting for the right opportunity.

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Solskjaer, who parted ways with Manchester United in 2021, admitted that he had been approached numerous times but none of the offers aligned with his vision until Besiktas came knocking. 

"I have been offered many jobs, at least 40," he said. "But they weren’t right. I need to be in my job. I’m a people person; I use the human capital around me. It had to be the right opportunity."

Solskjaer had previously turned down Besiktas twice in the last year but was swayed this time by the club's vision. 

"I’d spoken to them before, six months ago and a year ago," he revealed via Besiktas Talk. "But this time was different."

The president's emphasis on restoring Besiktas' values, respect, and human qualities, along with a desire for quick, attacking football, sealed the deal for Solskjaer.

Besiktas, currently sixth in the Turkish Super Lig, are hungry to reclaim their past glory. Solskjaer is tasked with reviving the team and appears energised by the challenge.

Solskjaer's stint at Manchester United ended in disappointment after a string of poor results, leading some to speculate that his reputation had been damaged. 

However, his latest revelations suggest that he was simply biding his time for a project that matched his vision.

Now, as he embarks on this new chapter in Turkish football, Solskjaer is focused on building something special at Besiktas. 

"It’s a huge club with a great history in an amazing city," he said. "I’m here to build something special."

For Manchester United fans, Solskjaer's return to management may evoke mixed emotions, but for the man himself, this move marks the end of a deliberate hiatus and the beginning of a new era in his managerial career.