Montella out, Turan ready to coach Turkey and Shakhtar

The Italian coach Vincenzo Montella has been sacked by the Turkish national team, while former midfielder Arda Turan is already at the centre of speculation to take over, with the possibility of also taking charge of Shakhtar Donetsk. The announcement, made on Friday 9 October 2026, marks a sharp reversal of course for Turkish football.

Montella has paid for the disappointment of a summer World Cup, eliminated in the group stage after defeats to Australia and Paraguay, and a Nations League start with four losses out of four against France, Italy and Belgium, conceding eleven goals and scoring only two. Before these failures, he had led Turkey to the quarter‑finals of Euro 2024 and had regained qualification for the 2026 World Cup, twenty‑four years after the last appearance.

Arda Turan candidate for the helm

Arda Turan, 39, was an international from 2004 to 2017 and has worn the shirts of Galatasaray, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Basksehir. He began his coaching career in 2023 with Eyupspor and, in 2025, moved to Shakhtar Donetsk, with which he won the latest Ukrainian league.

If confirmed, Turan would retain the dual role, managing both the Turkish national team and Shakhtar, a rare combination in international football.

Reform of the TFF Board

The Board of Directors of the Turkish Football Federation has appointed the deputies İbrahim Özbay and Metin Akyüz, replacing the dismissed members. The decision not to continue with Montella was also confirmed, while Secretary General Abdullah Ayaz was replaced by Ahmet Erzurumlu, current Director of Registration Operations of the TFF.

The statement was released on the Calcio, Live, Video, Photo, Tennis, Drive, MotoGp, Pressing, Sportmediaset, XXL and News channels, with references to Coppa Italia, Supercoppa Italiana, Formula, Sport, Lifestyle, Scudetti, Area, Help, FAQ, Info, Cookie, Policy and Abroad.

The contrast between Montella’s abrupt departure and the prospect of a dual‑role Turan highlights the TFF’s desire to quickly rebuild a stable structure, relying on a well‑known figure both at national and club level.