In the end, however, the combination of a disappointing World Cup and a disastrous autumn proved too much. Four defeats from the opening four Nations League matches, with a goal difference of 2-11, ultimately cost Montella his job.
Four defeats finally end Montella’s tenure
The Turkish Football Federation kept its official statement remarkably brief. Following a board meeting, the TFF simply announced that it had decided “not to continue its cooperation with national team head coach Vincenzo Montella”.
The decision had been looming for several days. Turkey opened their Nations League campaign with a 1-0 defeat to France, followed by a 4-1 loss against Italy and a 3-0 reverse in Belgium. After another 3-1 defeat to Italy in Bologna, Montella’s position had become increasingly difficult to defend.
The four consecutive defeats represented Turkey’s longest losing streak since 1988. At the same time, relegation from League A now appears increasingly difficult to avoid.
Montella had tried until the very end to put a more positive spin on his team’s performances. After the 3-1 defeat in Italy, he argued that Turkey had played a tactically strong match and had competed on equal terms for long spells. The experience of playing at that level, he said, had to be used as part of the team’s development.
Pressure had been growing since the World Cup
Montella had enjoyed considerable popularity for much of his spell in charge. At Euro 2024, he guided Turkey to the quarter-finals, where the Netherlands ended their run. Under his leadership, Turkey then qualified for the 2026 World Cup – their first appearance at the tournament in 24 years.
Expectations were therefore high going into the summer. With players such as Arda Güler and Kenan Yıldız, Turkey were even viewed in some quarters as a potential surprise package.
Instead, defeats to Australia and Paraguay meant they were already eliminated from the group stage after two matches. A 3-2 win over hosts USA in the final game could no longer change their fate.
Montella firmly rejected the idea of resigning at the time. He insisted he still had energy and enthusiasm for the job and even felt stronger after the experience. He also defended his young players amid heavy criticism back home.
Turkish media openly called for his dismissal
The mood shifted decisively after the poor start to the Nations League. Chants of “Montella out” had already been heard during recent internationals.
Leading Turkish media outlets also increased the pressure. Following the latest defeat to Italy, some openly suggested that Montella should take his compensation package and remain in Italy.
The 52-year-old was unwilling to engage with the criticism. Only days before his dismissal, he stressed that he did not want to pay too much attention to the noise surrounding his position. After all, Turkey had returned to the World Cup for the first time in 24 years under his leadership and had also earned promotion to the top tier of the Nations League.
His argument that Turkey still needed to learn how to compete regularly against elite opposition carried increasingly little weight after four successive defeats.
Montella still leaves with a respectable overall record
As poor as the ending was, Montella’s overall record remains respectable. In 40 matches in charge, Turkey recorded 21 wins, five draws and 14 defeats, scoring 66 goals and conceding 57.
The Euro 2024 run, promotion to Nations League A and qualification for the World Cup remain the major achievements of his three-year tenure.
Only last year, the federation had extended Montella’s original contract through to Euro 2028. The partnership has now ended much earlier than expected. According to Turkish media reports, the Italian is set to receive compensation worth five months’ salary.
Arda Turan emerges as leading candidate
The federation has not yet named a successor, but Arda Turan is widely viewed as the most prominent candidate.
The former Turkey international is currently in charge of Shakhtar Donetsk and remains a hugely respected figure in his home country. Reports in Turkey have even suggested that a model in which Turan temporarily combines club and national-team duties is under discussion.
The TFF does not have much time to reach a decision. Turkey face Belgium and France in their final two Nations League matches in November.
The next head coach will therefore inherit a side that still possesses considerable individual quality, but one that urgently needs to rediscover stability after a disappointing World Cup and a disastrous start to the autumn.
