Vincenzo Montella on the Verge of Being Sacked by Türkiye

Vincenzo Montella is facing his most difficult moment since taking charge of Türkiye. A group-stage exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and four consecutive defeats in the UEFA Nations League have pushed the Italian coach closer than ever to leaving his position.

Türkiye Is Losing Patience With Montella

Vincenzo Montella's tenure with Türkiye appears to be approaching its end. The 3-1 defeat to Italy in Bologna increased the pressure on the coach after several months in which results have stopped going the way of a generation that had created significant expectations.

Turkish media reports suggest that the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has already decided to part ways with the Italian. However, as of October 7, the federation has yet to officially announce his dismissal, meaning his departure should still be treated as a reported development rather than a confirmed decision.

The contrast with the support he received just over a year ago is significant. In June 2025, the TFF officially extended Montella's contract through the end of Euro 2028 following the progress the national team had shown under his leadership.

Now, that project is on the ropes.

The 2026 World Cup Marked the Beginning of the Decline

Montella accomplished something Türkiye had waited 24 years to achieve: returning to a FIFA World Cup. However, the tournament ultimately became a major disappointment.

The Turkish side opened its campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Australia before falling 1-0 against Paraguay, a result that confirmed its elimination even before the final group-stage match.

A 3-2 victory over the United States in the final game provided little more than a late response. Türkiye finished bottom of Group D with three points, one victory, and two defeats.

For a national team that arrived in North America with players such as Arda Güler, Kenan Yıldız, and Hakan Çalhanoğlu, heading home after only three matches represented a significant setback.

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Four Defeats in Four Nations League Matches

If the World Cup raised doubts, the beginning of the UEFA Nations League set off even more alarms.

Türkiye lost its first four matches of the competition: 1-0 against France, 4-1 against Italy in Bursa, 3-0 against Belgium in Liège, and finally 3-1 against the Italians again in Bologna.

Montella's team remains without a single point after four matchdays. During that stretch, Türkiye has scored only two goals while conceding 11.

The latest defeat once again exposed the team's problems. Aral Şimşir temporarily brought Türkiye level against Italy, but goals from Gianluca Scamacca, Riccardo Calafiori, and Francesco Pio Esposito eventually completed the 3-1 result.

The recent record is even more concerning: Türkiye has lost six of its last seven matches across the World Cup and the UEFA Nations League, with the victory over the United States being the only exception.

Arda Turan Emerges as a Candidate to Replace Him

The possibility of Montella's departure has also led to potential replacements beginning to emerge.

Reports from Türkiye and Italy have identified Arda Turan as one of the leading candidates to take charge of the national team. The former Atlético Madrid and Barcelona midfielder is currently managing Shakhtar Donetsk, and his name has already been linked with a possible coaching change.

Montella's contract situation, however, means the TFF would have to negotiate his departure. Reports suggest that the Italian could receive compensation equivalent to five months of salary, approximately €915,000, because of his current agreement through 2028.

From Euro 2024 to a Results Crisis

The possible end of Montella's tenure cannot be understood solely through his most recent results.

The Italian took charge in September 2023 and guided Türkiye to the quarterfinals of Euro 2024. He later secured promotion to League A of the UEFA Nations League and ended a 24-year wait for the country to return to a World Cup.

His record after 40 matches stands at 21 victories, five draws, and 14 defeats. The biggest concern is how dramatically the trend has changed: six of those defeats have come in his last seven games.

The World Cup elimination could have been viewed as a setback within a longer-term project. Four consecutive defeats immediately afterward have turned that setback into a crisis.

The TFF must now decide whether Montella remains the right coach to rebuild the project or whether the defeat in Bologna ultimately proved to be his final match in charge of Türkiye.

Montella Is on the Ropes With Türkiye

Türkiye was eliminated in the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeats to Australia and Paraguay before beating the United States.
The national team lost its first four UEFA Nations League matches, scoring only two goals while conceding 11.
Turkish media reports suggest that Vincenzo Montella is close to leaving his position, with Arda Turan among the leading candidates to replace him, although the TFF has yet to officially confirm a coaching change.