The Turkish Football Federation has officially announced the dismissal of national team head coach Vincenzo Montella. The decision was made against the backdrop of a series of poor team results, including a disappointing performance at the 2026 World Cup and a disastrous start in the top division of the UEFA Nations League, where the Turkish team failed to earn a single point in their first four matches.
Background and successes of the Italian specialist
Italian coach Vincenzo Montella took charge of the Turkey national team in September 2023, succeeding Stefan Kuntz. Under his leadership, the Turkish team successfully navigated the qualification barrier for Euro 2024 and put on an impressive display at the tournament itself, reaching the quarter-finals where they lost to the Netherlands 1-2. Subsequently, Montella achieved a historic milestone by guiding the national team to the top division of the Nations League and taking them to the World Cup for the first time in 24 years.
Crisis at the World Cup and in the Nations League
Despite past achievements, the situation sharply deteriorated in mid-2026. At the World Cup, the Turkish national team failed to clear the group stage, suffering defeats against Australia (0-2) and Paraguay (0-1), while a victory over the USA (3-2) could no longer salvage their tournament standing. The final blow was the winless streak in the Nations League, which left Turkey at the bottom of Group A1 and forced the federation's management to take radical measures, despite a contract previously signed until the end of Euro 2028.
Contradictory data
While official sources and leading sports publications confirm the Italian coach's dismissal following a string of failures, opposite rumors were circulating in the media shortly before. Some sports portals, citing internal federation sources, claimed that Vincenzo Montella would keep his job regardless of current pressure, as the credit of trust after reaching the World Cup supposedly remained high. However, reality turned out differently: Turkish football management decided to terminate the cooperation.
Potential successors and prospects
Amid Montella's dismissal, Turkish and European media are actively discussing candidates for the vacant head coach position. One of the main contenders is Arda Turan, a former star player for Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, who currently manages Shakhtar Donetsk. Information about interest in Turan has been confirmed by reputable insiders such as Nicolo Schira, opening a new intrigue in Turkish football.
