Turkiye Set to Sack Montella with Arda Turan in Pole to Replace Him After Italy Defeat

FolioPitch.com – 08 October 2026 | Turkiye set to sack Montella with Arda Turan in pole to replace him, according to reports from Turkish media outlets Fanatik and Milliyet, after Vincenzo Montella’s side suffered a humiliating 3-1 defeat to Italy in Bologna on Monday night. The loss marked a fourth consecutive Nations League defeat and proved the final straw for the Turkish Football Federation, which had previously stood by the Italian coach despite mounting pressure.

The federation has reportedly already agreed on a severance package with Montella, who will receive five months’ wages as compensation, totaling €915,000. His contract was originally set to run until Euro 2028 after he signed an extension in June 2025, but a disastrous run of results has forced the federation’s hand.

Montella’s tenure, which lasted three years, ended with a record of 21 wins, five draws, and 14 defeats from 40 matches. However, six of those defeats have come in the last seven games, highlighting a dramatic collapse in form. The 3-1 loss in Bologna followed a 4-1 home defeat to Italy in Bursa and losses to France and Belgium, compounding the misery of a group-stage exit at the World Cup.

Despite the disappointing end, Montella’s spell did include two significant highs: a run to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 and qualification for only the country’s third World Cup, ending a 24-year wait. Those achievements initially bought him time, but the recent slump has erased any goodwill.

Now, Turkiye set to sack Montella with Arda Turan in pole to replace him, as the former Galatasaray, Atletico Madrid, and Barcelona midfielder emerges as the leading candidate. Turan, who currently coaches Shakhtar Donetsk, is highly regarded in Turkish football circles and is seen as the man to revitalize the national team.

The 38-year-old has been making waves in Ukraine with Shakhtar, and his appointment would represent a bold move by the federation. Turan’s illustrious playing career, which included a La Liga title with Atletico Madrid and a Champions League triumph with Barcelona, gives him instant credibility. However, his coaching experience at the international level is limited, and he will need to hit the ground running to restore faith among fans.

The Turkish Football Federation is expected to make an official announcement in the coming days. The decision to part ways with Montella comes after a thorough review of the team’s recent performances, with the federation concluding that a change in leadership is necessary to steer the team back on track for upcoming competitions.

Turkiye set to sack Montella with Arda Turan in pole to replace him, and the move has sparked mixed reactions among supporters. Some believe Turan’s fresh ideas and deep understanding of Turkish football culture make him the ideal choice, while others question whether his lack of top-level coaching experience could be a risk. Regardless, the federation appears convinced that Turan is the right man to lead the national team into a new era.

The timing of the change is crucial, with Turkiye facing a series of important fixtures in the coming months. The Nations League campaign may be all but over, but there are still World Cup qualifiers and friendly matches to prepare for. Turan will need to quickly assemble a coaching staff and get to grips with the squad’s strengths and weaknesses.

Montella, meanwhile, leaves with a mixed legacy. He will be remembered for guiding Turkiye to Euro 2024 quarter-finals and ending the World Cup drought, but the recent collapse will linger. His compensation package, while substantial, is unlikely to ease the sting of a dismissal that many saw coming after the defeat in Bologna.

As the Turkish Football Federation prepares to usher in a new chapter, all eyes will be on Arda Turan. If he can replicate the success he enjoyed as a player in his coaching career, Turkiye could be on the cusp of something special. But the challenges are immense, and the pressure will be relentless. For now, the focus is on finalizing Montella’s exit and confirming Turan’s appointment.

In conclusion, Turkiye set to sack Montella with Arda Turan in pole to replace him, a decision that signals a new direction for the national team. The federation’s patience finally ran out after a string of poor results, and Turan’s potential appointment brings both excitement and uncertainty. Only time will tell if this gamble pays off, but Turkish football fans will be hoping that their new coach can restore pride and lead the team to greater heights.