In Istanbul, a difficult autumn has deepened the pressure around Türkiye’s national team. Four Nations League group matches have brought no points, extending the unease left by a World Cup campaign that ended in the group stage after elimination was confirmed within two games.
Montella’s position under scrutiny
Vincenzo Montella, in charge since 2023, is facing an increasingly uncertain future with the national side. The Italian has defended both his own work and that of his players following the latest defeat, insisting that he remains strong despite the results.
- Türkiye have lost all four of their opening Nations League group fixtures.
- The team also failed to progress from their World Cup group.
- The World Cup exit became unavoidable after only two matches.
- The Turkish Football Federation is seriously considering ending Montella’s spell.
- A dismissal would require compensation close to €1 million.
Arda Turan emerges as a possible successor
Arda Turan has been identified as a potential replacement should the federation decide to change coaches. Once one of the country’s most recognisable footballers, the 39-year-old has moved quickly through the early stages of his managerial career after retiring as a player in 2022.
Turan built his playing reputation with Galatasaray before his years abroad at Atlético de Madrid and Barcelona, among other clubs. His reputation as the “Turkish Magician” travelled with him through those high-profile stops, and his work on the touchline has now made him a candidate for one of Turkish football’s most demanding jobs.
A coaching rise from Eyüpspor to Shakhtar
His first major opportunity came at Eyüpspor, where he guided the modest Istanbul club into the Turkish Süper Lig during his second season in charge. In 2025, he took over at Shakhtar Donetsk and enjoyed an immediate impact in Ukraine.
- He led Shakhtar to the league title in his first season.
- The Ukrainian side also reached the Conference League semi-finals.
- Those achievements have strengthened the case for a return to Turkish football in a far larger role.
The unusual dual-role proposal
The federation’s preferred solution would be for Turan to remain Shakhtar coach while also taking command of the national team. Such an arrangement would be unusual in modern football, and whether Turan would accept the demands of holding both positions remains to be seen.
