Montella Retained by Turkey Despite World Cup Setback
Vincenzo Montella has acknowledged that Turkey’s World Cup disappointment left the Turkish Football Federation with valid reasons to consider a change of manager, but the Italian will lead the side into Nations League League A after the federation chose to assess his wider record.
Turkey’s immediate Nations League picture
| Item | Detail | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Manager | Vincenzo Montella, 52 | Retained after World Cup exit |
| Nations League group | Group A1 | France, Italy and Belgium |
| Target | Top two | Qualification for the quarter-finals |
Turkey had carried significant expectations into the 2026 World Cup in North America but departed early, with Montella accepting that two disappointing opening results put his position under scrutiny. He believes the team were competitive in their performances, yet repeatedly failed to make key opportunities count.
That absence of cutting edge, Montella said, created growing pressure after the first matches and ultimately prevented Turkey from recovering their campaign. He did not seek to excuse the outcome, instead expressing gratitude that the federation retained faith in the longer-term work being undertaken.
“I understand that I might have lost my job,” Montella said. “The federation took a broader view and considered what comes next. When I arrived, we were not qualifying for the Euros; then we won our group. They did not assess me only on those two games, but on the whole of my work.”
The 52-year-old’s record includes taking Turkey to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals and guiding the national team into League A for the first time. Those achievements formed part of the federation’s decision to continue with him following the World Cup setback.
Montella has also pointed to Turkey’s wider ambition in the sport, citing investment in infrastructure and clubs as signs of a country building a stronger modern football environment. He sees the nation’s economic development and football investment as foundations for competing more consistently with Europe’s leading sides.
Turkey begin their first League A campaign as the fourth-seeded team in a demanding A1 section containing France, Italy and Belgium. Montella has set the quarter-finals as the objective, meaning the Crescent-Stars must finish in the top two of the group.
Regular matches against elite opposition, he believes, can help the squad develop its tactical understanding after the lessons of the summer. Montella also remains committed to staying in the post through Euro 2032, with Turkey aiming to use their Nations League opportunity to demonstrate that they belong among the continent’s top teams.
