Turkey parts ways with coach Vincenzo Montella after four Nations League defeats
In short
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) said on X on 9 October 2026 that it had decided not to continue working with national team head coach Vincenzo Montella, the 52-year-old Italian who had led the side since 2023. The Turkish newspaper Milliyet had earlier reported that the decision followed four defeats in four Nations League group-stage matches, including a 1-3 loss to Italy.
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The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) said on its X page that it had decided not to continue cooperation with Vincenzo Montella, head coach of the national football team. "A decision has been made not to continue cooperation with the head coach of our national team, Mr Vincenzo Montella," the federation's statement said, according to RIA Novosti. RBC described the move as a firing, and Interfax said Montella had been dismissed. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
Kommersant said the departure had been expected. The Turkish newspaper Milliyet had earlier reported the federation's decision to end the contract because the team lost all four of its Nations League group-stage matches, played during the autumn international break, RIA Novosti and Kommersant reported. According to RIA Novosti, the federation's leadership made its final decision after a 1-3 defeat by Italy. Kommersant said Turkey, which plays in the tournament's top division, lost 0-1 to France, 0-3 to Belgium and twice to Italy, 1-4 and 1-3. [ 1 , 5 ]
Montella, 52, had led Turkey since 2023. RIA Novosti reported that under him the team played 40 official and friendly matches, winning 21, losing 14 and drawing five. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
Kommersant said Turkey played at two major tournaments under Montella, reaching the Euro 2024 quarterfinals, where it failed to beat the Netherlands. At the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, Turkey finished last in its group, losing to Australia 0-2 and Paraguay 0-1 and beating the host United States 3-2, RIA Novosti reported. [ 1 , 5 ]
Why it matters
Turkey's national team is left without the coach who led it at Euro 2024 and the World Cup, according to Kommersant and RIA Novosti. The change comes after a start of four straight defeats in the new Nations League edition, in which Turkey plays in the top division, Kommersant reported.
Key facts
- The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) announced on X its decision not to continue cooperation with head coach Vincenzo Montella. [ 1 , 5 ]
- Montella, a 52-year-old Italian, had coached Turkey's national team since 2023. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- Turkey lost all four of its Nations League group-stage matches, played during the autumn international break. [ 1 , 3 , 5 ]
- Kommersant listed the defeats as 0-1 to France, 0-3 to Belgium and 1-4 and 1-3 to Italy. [ 5 ]
- Under Montella, Turkey played 40 official and friendly matches, with 21 wins, 14 defeats and five draws, RIA Novosti reported. [ 1 ]
- Turkey reached the Euro 2024 quarterfinals under Montella and was eliminated in the World Cup group stage. [ 1 , 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The TFF decided not to continue cooperation with head coach Vincenzo Montella. [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]
- Montella had led Turkey's national team since 2023. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- Turkey lost its first four Nations League matches before the decision. [ 1 , 3 , 5 ]
- Milliyet had earlier reported the federation's decision to part ways with Montella. [ 1 , 5 ]
- Turkey failed to advance from a World Cup group with the United States, Paraguay and Australia. [ 1 , 5 ]
Still unclear
- The federation's reason for the decision. The TFF statement quoted by RIA Novosti does not give a reason; the link to the Nations League results comes from Milliyet's reporting.
- Who will succeed Montella. None of the documents name a successor or interim coach.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- RIA Novosti reports that the TFF has decided not to continue working with Montella. [ 1 ]
- TASS reports Montella has left the post of Turkey head coach. [ 2 ]
- RBC reports Turkey fired Montella after four Nations League defeats. [ 3 ]
- Interfax reports Montella has been dismissed. [ 4 ]
- Kommersant reports the departure, saying it had been expected. [ 5 ]