Italiano's seven European wins match four former coaches combined

Vincenzo Italiano, appointed as Besiktas head coach on 6 June 2026, has won over supporters within roughly four months through both his attacking style of play and the results he has delivered. The 48-year-old Italian coach guided his side to a 3-2 away victory over Hoffenheim in the second round of the UEFA Europa League, securing his seventh win in his eighth European match in charge.

Italiano's only defeat during this period came against Zalgiris, a 1-0 loss. This record highlights the consistency the Italian coach has built in a short span of time. Seven wins from eight matches stands out as a notable achievement, especially given the frequent managerial changes Besiktas has experienced in recent years.

According to a report from Takvim, Italiano's achievement becomes even more significant when compared to the combined record of four coaches who previously managed Besiktas. Dutch coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst picked up 3 wins in 7 European matches during his tenure. Norwegian manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also managed 3 wins, though across 8 matches.

Under Abdullah Avci, Besiktas won just 1 of 6 European fixtures. The situation was even tougher under Sergen Yalcin, who failed to register a single win in 8 matches with the club. Adding up the wins of these four coaches gives a total of 7 – the exact number Italiano has reached on his own in just eight matches.

Italiano's short-term performance has raised hopes among Besiktas fans for the future while also validating the club management's decision to hire him. His blend of result-oriented football and attractive playing style is seen as a positive sign for the club's prospects in European competition going forward.