Two Premier League flops have handed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer his first win as Besiktas boss.
The Norwegian took the post in Turkey three years after leaving Manchester United. The ex-striker replaced former Rangers boss Gio van Bronkhorst at the helm who was sacked all the way back at the start of December. The 51-year-old’s first match in charge was a Europa League clash at home against La Liga high-fliers Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday night. And it did not disappoint.
The Basque side are fourth in Spain, level on points with Barcelona, and went into the clash at the Tüpraş Stadyumu as clear favourites. But Solskjaer had little to fear as forgotten Premier League face Milot Rashica stole the show. The Kosovan attacking midfielder helped himself to a brace on the night as the Turkish giants ran out shock 4-1 winners. He grabbed his first with a cool finish on 17 minutes before Unai Gomez equalised. The playmaker stepped up again to retake the lead on the hour mark and then there was no looking back for the Baby-Faced Assassin and his team.
Rashica arrived at Norwich City in 2021 for a near £10million having come off the back of a stellar season at German side Werder Bremen. But he made 35 appearances in 12 months and scored just a single goal in that time. The 28-year-old was then duly sent packing to Galatasaray on loan for a season before heading to Besiktas permanently where he has resurrected his career.
And he was not the only yesterday’s man to step up as former West Ham flop Joao Mario netted a late penalty for his club’s fourth goal to seal the three points once and for all. Mario joined the Hammers on loan from Inter Milan in 2018 where he had struggled to make the grade in Serie A. His fortunes in London were not much different where he failed to impress the club and no permanent deal was pursued. He has since played for Sporting Lisbon and Benfica back in his native Portugal.
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