Former Rangers, Arsenal and Barcelona Man Faces Besiktas Firing

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s tenure as Besiktas head coach appears to be under serious threat following a 4-2 home defeat to Göztepe.

The team has now dropped to sixth in the Süper Lig, with Turkish media widely speculating that the club is preparing to part ways with the Dutchman.

Calls for Change

Leading sports outlet Fanatik criticised Van Bronckhorst’s tactics, claiming the team lacks unity, efficiency, and tactical direction. Reports also pointed to a lack of leadership during the international break, with Van Bronckhorst taking time off despite the team’s struggles. The recent loss marked Besiktas’ third defeat in four league matches, further increasing pressure on the coach.

“The team appears tactically incompetent, and there is no solidarity,” Fanatik stated. “The chairman and board have remained silent. This farce can no longer be supported.”

Van Bronckhorst acknowledged the dire situation after the match, saying: “It’s a very disappointing evening and it hurts. I certainly feel responsible for this situation. We have to defend better and fight at set-pieces. Of course, I feel the pressure because we are not performing well.”

MAÇ SONUCU | #BJKvGÖZ [2-4] pic.twitter.com/eCG8VNIENu

— Beşiktaş JK (@Besiktas) November 24, 2024

Criticism of Management Decisions

Sports daily Fotomac slammed both Van Bronckhorst and the club’s management, highlighting poor decisions such as appointing an “inexperienced, stubborn” coach and signing ineffective players like João Mário. Milliyet echoed these sentiments, noting that the team has shown no signs of progress under the former Feyenoord and Rangers boss despite a promising start to the season.

Who is Giovanni van Bronckhorst?

Van Bronckhorst represented Feyenoord, Rangers, Arsenal, and Barcelona, amassing over 100 international caps for the Netherlands. He played as a left-back and midfielder, winning numerous trophies, including the UEFA Champions League with Barcelona in 2006 and domestic titles with Arsenal and Rangers. He captained the Netherlands to the 2010 FIFA World Cup final, where they finished as runners-up.

As a manager, Van Bronckhorst began his career with Feyenoord, leading them to an Eredivisie title in 2017. He later managed Rangers FC, taking them to the UEFA Europa League final and winning the Scottish Cup. In 2024, he became the manager of Beşiktaş in Turkey, where he quickly secured the Turkish Super Cup with a decisive victory.

Former Players Offer Solutions

Former Besiktas coach Sergen Yalcin has offered his services to the club in an advisory role, stating: “I want to help the club for free. The first step would be to improve the players’ physical condition. European coaches have no chance of success here; their methods don’t work.”

Analyst and ex-Besiktas player Nihat Kahveci criticised the team’s preparation, remarking: “The players seemed to still be on leave during the match. They can forget about the title now.” Besiktas fans also voiced their discontent during the match, adding further pressure on the club to make changes.

Writer’s View

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s position at Besiktas looks increasingly untenable as poor results and tactical criticisms mount. While the Dutchman shoulders responsibility, the club’s management also faces scrutiny for its decisions. With fan unrest and former players offering to step in, Besiktas may need to act decisively to salvage their season and restore faith among supporters.