Turkey has parted ways with Vincenzo Montella after four defeats in their opening 2026–27 Nations League matches. The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) announced the decision on 9 October, ending the Italian’s tenure, which began in September 2023.
The TFF’s notice said it had decided “not to continue” with Montella (“devam etmeme kararı alınmıştır” in Turkish). It did not use the word “sacked” or disclose a reason for the decision, any compensation details, or a successor.
Four Nations League Defeats, No Points
Turkey sit bottom of League A’s Group A1 with no points, having scored twice and conceded 11 goals. They opened their campaign with a 1-0 home defeat to France on 25 September before losing 4-1 to Italy in Bursa three days later, having trailed 3-0 at half-time.
Belgium then beat Turkey 3-0 in Liège on 2 October, with Kevin De Bruyne scoring twice.
Montella’s final match was a 3-1 defeat to Italy in Bologna on 5 October. Gianluca Scamacca put Italy ahead in the 26th minute before Aral Şimşir equalised after half-time.
Riccardo Calafiori restored Italy’s lead, and Pio Esposito added a third in the 87th minute. France lead Group A1 with 10 points, followed by Italy on seven and Belgium on six.
The top two teams qualify for the quarter-finals, while the bottom side is relegated to League B. Turkey is scheduled to face Belgium on 12 November before hosting France on 15 November.
Montella’s Record From Euro 2024 To The World Cup
Montella was appointed on a three-year contract in September 2023, before the TFF extended his deal in June 2025 through to the end of Euro 2028. Fanatik reported that his annual salary was approximately €2.2 million.
Montella made an early impact with Turkey. They reached the Euro 2024 quarter-finals with a 2–1 win over Austria in the round of 16, later secured promotion to Nations League A, and qualified for the 2026 World Cup.
Montella leaves with 21 wins, five draws, and 14 defeats from 40 matches. Italpress adds that six of Turkey’s last seven games ended in defeat.
The drop began at the World Cup, where Turkey lost 2-0 to Australia and 1-0 to Paraguay and were eliminated after two games, despite taking 62 shots without scoring.
Turkey’s only win in that seven-game stretch was a 3–2 victory over the United States in their final group match, sealed by Kaan Ayhan’s stoppage-time goal. TFF president İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu defended Montella on 22 June, following Turkey’s exit.
“We will stand by our coach,” he told reporters in Arizona, according to Hürriyet Daily News. After the win over the United States, Montella said his players could “go back home with our chin up”.
On 29 September, following the defeat in Bursa, Montella said resignation was not on his agenda.
What The TFF Has And Has Not Confirmed
The announcement of Montella’s departure also addressed the federation’s leadership, stating that the TFF board would remain in office until the ordinary elective general assembly.
The TFF also appointed İbrahim Özbay and Metin Akyüz to replace two board members who had resigned. Ahmet Erzurumlu was named the new secretary-general, replacing Abdullah Ayaz, who had also stepped down.
Montella’s compensation has not been confirmed, and reports give different figures. Milliyet, as cited by Italpress, reported that the TFF would pay five months’ salary, amounting to about €915,000. Türkiye Gazetesi, cited by Fanatik, put the figure closer to €550,000.
The federation has not publicly confirmed either amount.
No successor has been announced. Reports have linked the TFF with Arda Turan, the former Turkish midfielder who currently coaches Shakhtar Donetsk. However, neither the federation, Turan, nor Shakhtar has confirmed any appointment.
