ISTANBUL — Besiktas has officially announced the appointment of Vincenzo Italiano as its new head coach.The Istanbul-based club confirmed the move on Saturday, June 6, 2026, marking a significant step in the team's ongoing efforts to restore its status as a dominant force in the Turkish Super Lig.
Italiano, 48, has signed a contract that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2027-2028 season. The deal is reportedly worth €6 million per season, plus performance-based bonuses, making the former Bologna and Fiorentina manager one of the highest-paid Italian coaches globally, trailing only Carlo Ancelotti and Simone Inzaghi.
The appointment comes after a period of instability at the club, which has seen 11 different managers in the past five years, including brief stints by Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Besiktas leadership expressed hope that Italiano, whom local fans have already nicknamed the "Italian Klopp," will provide the tactical identity and long-term consistency required to compete with Istanbul rivals Galatasaray and Fenerbahce.
Italiano, known for his aggressive, possession-based tactical style and flexibility with formations like the 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1, arrives in Turkey with a reputation for maximizing squad potential. His immediate mandate is to lead Besiktas through the upcoming Europa League qualifiers and stabilize their domestic campaign.
The move marks Italiano's first managerial challenge outside of Italy, and he is expected to begin working with the squad immediately to prepare for the new season.
