Turkey Dismiss Vincenzo Montella After Nations League Struggles
Turkey have dismissed Vincenzo Montella as national-team head coach, with the federation moving before November’s international fixtures after a run of damaging results left the side bottom of their Nations League group.
Federation acts after results slide
The Turkish Football Federation confirmed that Montella will not remain in charge, ending the 52-year-old Italian’s spell less than three years after his appointment in September 2023.
Turkey’s downturn included two defeats against Italy, a 3-0 loss away to Belgium and a 1-0 home defeat to France. The federation concluded that a change could not wait until after the next international window.
Montella had begun strongly and earned considerable support by taking Turkey to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals. That momentum disappeared as performances and results deteriorated, with the national side unable to produce consistency against leading European opposition.
World Cup disappointment increased the pressure
The pressure had already intensified during the 2026 World Cup. Turkey beat co-hosts the United States in their last group match, but the win did not prevent elimination.
They became the first team knocked out of the tournament, a result viewed as a major underachievement for a squad carrying significant individual talent.
- Montella took charge in September 2023 and led Turkey into the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.
- World Cup elimination followed in 2026 despite a final-group-game victory over the United States.
- Defeats to Italy, Belgium and France then left Turkey bottom of their Nations League section.
- The federation removed Montella ahead of November’s matches against Belgium and France.
Montella defended his players after Italy loss
Montella insisted after the defeat in Bologna that Turkey had competed well and were punished by isolated moments rather than being outplayed. He said he was pleased with the players’ attitude and personality, arguing that his team had matched Italy for much of the contest and may have created more.
The former Roma forward also pointed to the financial and squad-depth gap between Turkey and the leading nations. He cited Italy’s ability to introduce Riccardo Calafiori, Francesco Pio Esposito and Sandro Tonali, estimating that around €350 million of player value came from the bench.
Montella said that disparity was not the fault of his players, whom he felt had stood up technically and tactically to a high-level opponent.
- Montella’s Euro 2024 achievement was outweighed by World Cup and Nations League setbacks.
- Turkey have lost twice to Italy, 3-0 in Belgium and 1-0 at home to France during the recent slump.
- The next coach will have little preparation time before Belgium visit on November 12.
- Turkey then travel to France on November 15 in a rapid early test for Montella’s successor.
What happens next
Turkey must now appoint a replacement before the November break, with the Belgium home match followed three days later by the trip to France. The immediate task for the new coach will be to stabilise a side that has lost confidence and restore competitiveness in a difficult group.
