Türkiye Prepare to Part Ways With Montella as Arda Turan Leads the Coaching Race
The Turkish Football Federation is reportedly preparing to end Vincenzo Montella’s spell as head coach of the national team, with former Türkiye captain Arda Turan emerging as the leading candidate to replace him.
A 3-1 loss to Italy in Bologna appears to have accelerated the decision. It was Türkiye’s fourth straight defeat in UEFA Nations League Group A1, extending a difficult run that has placed Montella’s position under growing pressure. The federation’s executive board is said to have begun arrangements to separate from the Italian and turn its attention to a new appointment.
Montella’s departure would bring an end to a three-year tenure. Across 40 matches in charge, the 52-year-old recorded 21 wins, five draws and 14 defeats. Although the team produced positive results during parts of his time in the role, recent performances have reportedly convinced federation officials that a change of direction is needed.
The downturn has been compounded by Türkiye’s reported early elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage and a winless sequence in the Nations League’s top division. Together, those setbacks have intensified concerns about the team’s ability to compete consistently against strong international opposition.
Montella signed an extension last summer that was intended to keep him in charge through Euro 2028. Despite that commitment, the federation is reportedly prepared to negotiate an early termination. The proposed severance package is said to equal five months of salary, amounting to approximately €915,000.
Turan emerges as the federation’s preferred option
Arda Turan is understood to be the leading name under consideration at the federation’s Riva headquarters. The 39-year-old is currently managing Shakhtar Donetsk and has strengthened his coaching profile by guiding the Ukrainian club to the league title last season.
Turan’s playing career gives him a close connection to the national team. He captained Türkiye and represented some of Europe’s most prominent clubs, including Galatasaray, Atlético Madrid and Barcelona. Federation leaders are reportedly attracted both by his experience at the highest level and by his familiarity with Turkish football.
The appointment would mark a significant transition from Montella’s foreign-led project to a coach with a distinctly domestic profile. Turan’s understanding of the country’s football culture may help him build a stronger connection with players and supporters, while his recent club success offers evidence of his ability to lead a demanding campaign.
However, moving from club management to the national team brings a different set of challenges. A national coach has limited time with players, must quickly establish a clear tactical plan and needs to make effective use of every international window. Turan would also face the immediate task of restoring confidence after a sequence of disappointing results.
The next coach will need to assess the squad’s strengths and weaknesses, identify the most reliable options in key positions and decide how best to balance experienced internationals with younger players. Türkiye has no shortage of technically gifted footballers, but turning that individual quality into consistent team performances will be central to any recovery.
A change in leadership alone would not guarantee an improvement. The federation would need to provide the incoming coach with a clear mandate, realistic expectations and enough continuity to implement a footballing approach. Frequent changes in direction can make it difficult for a national side to develop stable partnerships and a recognisable style.
If Turan takes the job, his first priority is likely to be rebuilding momentum in the upcoming international fixtures. Strong results could quickly ease pressure and give the new coach room to shape the team. Further setbacks, by contrast, would place the spotlight on whether the squad’s problems stem mainly from management or reflect deeper structural issues.
For now, the reported separation agreement and Turan’s position as frontrunner point toward a possible change at the top of Türkiye’s national team. The federation’s final decision will determine whether the former captain gets the opportunity to lead the Crescent-Stars into their next phase.