Ole Gunnar Solskjaer delivers savage eight-word dig after beating Jose Mourinho

Daily Mirror

06-05-2025

Besiktas earned a derby win away against Fenerbahce as Ole Gunner Solskjaer earned a win over Jose Mourinho before being able to fire a clever quip in his press conference
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made a tongue-in-cheek remark to Jose Mourinho, after the pair faced off in the Turkish Super League. Manchester United hero Solskjaer came away with a victory against the former Chelsea boss as he guided his Besiktas side to a narrow 1-0 win over Fenerbahce.
The duo have a shared history after the ex-Norway sharpshooter succeeded Mourinho in the Old Trafford hotseat. Mourinho won the EFL Cup and Europa League while in charge at United but lasted little more than two seasons at the club.
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After seven wins in 19 games, the Portuguese coach was sacked with the Red Devils 19 points off of top spot. Solskjaer took the reigns as caretaker manager before being appointed as the permanent boss on a three-year contract after winning 14 matches of his first 19.
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Ultimately, Solskjaer's stint did not bring silverware to the club and he was sacked in 2021. The 52-year-old's move to Besiktas is his first managerial role since being given his marching orders by United chiefs.
And Solskjaer has guided Besiktas to fourth in the table since being appointed in January, and sit 20 points behind Mourinho's Fenerbahce's side. That counted for little as the Black Eagles earned an unfancied win to ruffle Mourinho's feathers.
Gedson Fernandes' goal on the verge of half-time separated the sides to leave the Special One fuming. "If we played Besiktas 10 times, we'd win eight," he said. "They'd win one, and one would be a draw.'
Asked for his response, Solskjaer offered a quick quip after earning three points. "Looks like they'll be winning the next eight," he offered.
There were no sparks flying between the managers however. "Ole is here for a few months," said Mourinho "He is experienced and intelligent enough to learn what he has to learn. I am nobody to give him advice.
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"We spoke in the tunnel before the game. It was normal things two guys who respect each other but have to play a match say to each other. After it was the same.
"We are experienced enough for him not to be on the moon because he won, just as I am not in hell because I lost a derby. We respect each other well. I think we like each other too. I would say that."
Mourinho did appear in a fiery mood however, with Galatasaray's title win drawing a step closer. The league-leaders are eight points clear of Fenerbahce with four matches remaining. The ex-Inter Milan manager aired some of his grievances.
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"When some of your players don't perform well enough, it affects your collective performance as well," he said. "The outcome of the league was determined before the league even started. The games we lost at home were decisive. VAR decisions, referee decisions. I am so tired of talking about these. I have no power, nothing changes, but this is the situation, this is the truth."
Despite having another year on his contract, Mourinho's future appears uncertain. The veteran's latest comments will do little to quell any speculation over how long he has remaining in Turkey.
"I am not speaking about next season," he said. "I will speak internally, not to the media. If there is something, out of respect to the president and the board, I will not bring it into the public."