Vincenzo Italiano set to become next Beşiktaş manager
The wait is nearly over. Vincenzo Italiano has said yes to Beşiktaş and is close to being appointed as your new head coach (2) (5). The club wants the deal wrapped up by Friday so you start next week with a new man in charge (6).
Italiano, 48, most recently managed Bologna in Serie A. Talks progressed quickly and the Italian has accepted Beşiktaş's proposal (5). This ends a drawn-out search that saw the board linked with Filipe Luis, Carlos Vicens, Razvan Lucescu, and Oliver Glasner, a claim the club publicly denied.
After a transitional season finishing fourth on 60 points, the priority now is clarity, and you are about to get it.
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Salih Özcan wants Süper Lig return
Beşiktaş are targeting Salih Özcan and the midfielder is keen on a move back to Turkey (3). The Borussia Dortmund player is available on a free transfer and wants to play in the Süper Lig, which puts your club in a strong position.
Özcan, a Turkish international, would bring top-level experience from the Bundesliga. No deal is done yet, but the interest is concrete.
Ahmetcan Kaplan could spark three-way fight
Ajax defender Ahmetcan Kaplan is wanted by NEC permanently, but Ajax hope Beşiktaş and Trabzonspor enter the race to drive up the price (8). The 23-year-old centre-back spent last season on loan at NEC and impressed enough that they want to keep him. Whether Beşiktaş make a formal move depends on how the summer squad rebuild shapes up.
Fan-reaktioner
The mood among supporters feels cautiously optimistic. A fan compilation of all Beşiktaş goals from the season is doing the rounds, and the comments suggest fans are ready to turn the page and back whoever comes in. Watch the full goal reel here.
