Turkey sack Vincenzo Montella after four straight Nations League defeats as Arda Turan emerges as favourite

Turkey have sacked head coach Vincenzo Montella after a Nations League campaign that has brought four defeats from four matches. The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) announced on Friday, 9 October that its executive board had decided not to continue with the Italian. It gave no reason and named no successor. The decision came three days after a 3-1 defeat to Italy and ends a spell that began in September 2023.

A Nations League collapse

Turkey's League A campaign has gone badly wrong. They lost 1-0 at home to France, 3-0 away to Belgium, and were beaten twice by Italy: 4-1 in Turkey and 3-1 in Italy on Tuesday, 6 October. That adds up to two goals scored and 11 conceded, and Turkey now face a real risk of relegation from the top tier of the competition.

The results were hard to explain given the quality in the squad. Turkey can call on Arda Güler, Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Kenan Yıldız, yet the team has looked short of ideas and badly exposed at the back this autumn.

From Euro 2024 high to World Cup disappointment

Montella's early work was well received. He took Turkey to Euro 2024, where they reached the quarter-finals before losing 2-1 to the Netherlands, and then guided them to the 2026 World Cup through the March play-offs.

The World Cup did not go to plan. Turkey lost to Australia and Paraguay in the group stage, and a 3-2 win over co-hosts the United States in their final group game was not enough to take them through. Federation president İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu stood by Montella after the tournament, but the autumn results changed his mind.

Montella, 52, is a former Italy striker who has also coached Fiorentina, Sampdoria, AC Milan and Sevilla.

Arda Turan the name in the frame

No replacement has been confirmed, but several reports point to former Turkey midfielder Arda Turan as the leading candidate. Turan has coached Shakhtar Donetsk since May 2025 and led the club to the 2025/26 Ukrainian title. His Shakhtar contract reportedly runs until summer 2027, and Ukrainian outlet UNN noted Turkish media reports that he may not be keen on the job under the current federation leadership.

Whoever takes over will have little time to settle. Turkey host Belgium in the Nations League on 12 November, then face France three days later, two fixtures that will shape their fight to avoid relegation from League A.

What it means for Turkey

Turkey have a talented, young core and a large, passionate fan base, which makes this an attractive job on paper. But the new coach will inherit a team that has lost its defensive shape and its confidence. The first task will be to stop the slide in the Nations League before thinking about the next European Championship cycle.

Key takeaways

• The TFF sacked Vincenzo Montella on 9 October 2026, three days after a 3-1 loss to Italy.
• Turkey have lost all four Nations League games, scoring two and conceding 11.
• Montella reached the Euro 2024 quarter-finals but went out in the 2026 World Cup group stage.
• Shakhtar coach Arda Turan is widely reported as the leading candidate, though nothing is confirmed.
• Turkey's next matches are against Belgium on 12 November and France three days later.

FAQ

Why was Vincenzo Montella sacked? The TFF gave no official reason, but the decision followed four straight Nations League defeats in which Turkey conceded 11 goals.

Who will replace Montella as Turkey coach? No one has been appointed. Arda Turan, currently coach of Shakhtar Donetsk, has been reported as the leading candidate.

When do Turkey play next? Turkey host Belgium in the Nations League on 12 November, followed by a match against France three days later.

Sources: Turkish Football Federation, Asharq Al-Awsat, aNews, Football Italia, UNN, Daily Sports