Following the 4-1 defeat against Italy, discussions regarding the future of National Football Team head coach Vincenzo Montella have returned to the agenda. Having lost 1-0 to France in their first match in UEFA Nations League A Group 1, the Crescent-Stars started the group without any points after suffering a heavy defeat to Italy in the second-week match played in Bursa.
During the post-match press conference, Montella, who is at the center of criticism, was asked whether he would resign. The Italian coach stated that he believes in his work and that there is no agenda regarding his departure.
No, I believe in the work I am doing; I did not leave even when I had important opportunities. The work we are continuing here and our belief in my players continue to the end. If you think they deserve more than what we have done, you can blame me, but I will continue to stand behind my players. Certainly, just as we have come this far with them, if such a situation were to arise, I would first speak with my players, but we have no such agenda.
CLAIM THAT TFF HAS POSTPONED EVALUATION
Italian journalist Nicolo Schira claimed that Montella does not want to resign and that the Turkish Football Federation has decided to evaluate the head coach's situation after the next matches. According to the claim, the TFF will re-examine the situation after Turkey's matches against Belgium and Italy.
Montella was appointed as the head of the National Team in September 2023 following the departure of Stefan Kuntz. The 52-year-old coach's contract with the TFF runs until July 2028.
Having managed 38 matches at the helm of the Crescent-Stars, Montella has recorded 21 wins, 5 draws, and 12 defeats during this period. The Italian coach has achieved an average of 1.71 points per match.
During the Montella era, Turkey qualified for EURO 2024; after finishing the group as leaders, they advanced to the quarterfinals by eliminating Austria in the Round of 16. The National Team also earned promotion from League B to League A in the UEFA Nations League.
According to information provided in the source, Turkey secured a World Cup ticket after 24 years by defeating Romania and Kosovo in the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers play-offs, but was eliminated early in the tournament after finishing last in Group D, which included the USA, Australia, and Paraguay.
News Source: 12punto
