The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has officially severed ties with national team head coach Vincenzo Montella following a catastrophic slide in form that culminated in four consecutive UEFA Nations League defeats and a group-stage exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The decision, announced by the governing body on Friday, ends the 52-year-old Italian’s three-year tenure at the helm. While Montella previously earned praise for guiding A Milli Takım to the quarter-finals of UEFA Euro 2024 and securing World Cup qualification, the team’s recent trajectory sparked deep concern within the federation’s executive board.
A Dramatic Collapse on the Pitch
The breaking point came during the ongoing autumn international window, where Turkey endured a historic slump. Facing elite competition in Nations League A, the Crescent-Stars suffered four straight losses—falling twice to Italy, alongside defeats against France and Belgium.
The downward spiral marks Turkey’s first four-game competitive losing streak in 38 years.
“A decision was made not to continue cooperation with the head coach of the national team, Mr. Vincenzo Montella,” the TFF stated in a brief press release.
The dismissal leaves the TFF paying out an estimated €915,000 in contractual severance for the five months remaining on Montella’s original agreement.
Institutional Turmoil Behind the Scenes
Montella’s exit comes at a moment of broader internal turmoil for Turkish football administration. Alongside the coaching change, TFF Executive Board member Mevlut Aktan publicly resigned, criticizing the federation’s governance structures as being run “with the mentality of a family business”. Several other high-ranking board members are reportedly evaluating their positions.
Speculation Swirls Over Arda Turan
Attention has swiftly turned to the choice of a successor, with former national team captain Arda Turan emerging as the headline candidate.
Turan, 39, has seen his managerial stock rise dramatically over the past two seasons. After successfully guiding Eyüpspor into the Süper Lig, he took charge of Ukrainian heavyweights Shakhtar Donetsk in July 2025. In his debut season in Donetsk, Turan clinched the domestic league title and orchestrated a run to the UEFA Conference League semi-finals.
The Obstacles Ahead
While high-profile transfer reporters, including Nicolo Schira, initially pointed to Turan as the lead candidate, significant hurdles remain before any contract can be finalized:
- Contractual Commitments: Turan remains tied to Shakhtar Donetsk until June 2027. Releasing him would require the TFF to negotiate a compensation package with the Ukrainian champions.
- Federation Friction: Domestic reports suggest Turan has reservations regarding the operational approach of the current TFF leadership, headed by President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu.
With critical international fixtures looming on the calendar, the TFF faces an urgent timeline to restore stability to a squad valued at over €410 million