In Bursa, where the stadium’s crocodile shape was meant to give Turkey an intimidating setting, the mood turned sharply against Vincenzo Montella. A 4-1 home defeat to Italy on Monday left the national coach facing sustained hostility after a troubled start to the 2026-27 Nations League campaign.
The news from the club
Turkey have lost their opening two home fixtures in the competition, first going down 1-0 to France on Friday before Italy ran away with Monday’s match. The result has intensified scrutiny of Montella, who remained in charge despite heavy criticism following Turkey’s early exit from the 2026 World Cup.
The Italian national anthem was greeted with boos before kick-off in Bursa, and Montella was targeted from the opening stages. With Italy three goals ahead by half-time, the reaction became even more severe.
Supporters also called directly for Turkish Football Federation president İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu to dismiss the Italian coach. The abuse directed at Hacıosmanoğlu reportedly became serious enough that he left the stadium.
The anger has been building over recent months, although Turkey had produced a creditable performance, with Arda Güler among those involved, in the narrow loss to France.
Turkey had travelled to the World Cup with confidence after being placed in a group considered manageable on paper. Instead, a 2-0 defeat to Australia and a 1-0 loss against Paraguay ended their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds. Their 3-2 win over hosts United States in the final group match came only after elimination had already been confirmed.
Montella kept his position after that tournament disappointment, but the scale of the defeat against his own country has made his longer-term future difficult to predict.
The Nations League road ahead
Turkey are due to travel to Belgium on Friday before another meeting with Italy on Monday. Their final two matches in Nations League Group A1 are scheduled for November, and the coming away fixtures may shape whether Montella remains in charge for them.
