Türkiye are reportedly ready to sack Vincenzo Montella after Monday's defeat to Italy, with the federation moving after four straight Nations League losses. The latest result was a 3-1 defeat in Bologna, and Arda Turan has emerged as the leading candidate to replace him.
Türkiye's collapse in the Nations League
The league campaign has left little room for patience. Türkiye have lost four straight Nations League matches, sit on 0 points from 4 games and carry a goal difference of -9. They have scored 2 and conceded 11 in the competition, which is a brutal return for a side that was expected to compete more cleanly.
SPORT1's summary of the mood around the campaign was simple enough, saying: "After the World Cup disappointment, there are four defeats in the Nations League - too much for the coach."
That line fits the scale of the slide. Montella is now being judged on a run that has moved well beyond one bad night in Italy.
Arda Turan in the frame
If the change goes ahead, A. Turan would be the surprise successor. The former midfielder, now Shakhtar Donetsk coach, is the frontrunner to take over, which gives Türkiye a candidate already working in club management rather than a stopgap appointment.
Montella's own record still includes the Euro 2024 quarter-finals and the country's third World Cup appearance, but the recent stretch has swallowed that goodwill. The federation extended his contract in June 2025 until Euro 2028, yet the reported decision now points in a different direction.
The only unresolved piece is the formal step. Türkiye's collapse has already reached the point where a change looks close, and the next development should be whether the federation turns the report into an announcement.
Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →
