Vincenzo Montella's position as Turkiye head coach is secure despite a disastrous FIFA World Cup campaign, after Turkish Football Federation President Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu insisted the Italian would not resign or be sacked.
Quick Facts
Coach: Vincenzo Montella
Team: Turkiye
World Cup 2026 results: 2-0 loss to Australia, 1-0 loss to Paraguay
Contract: Until July 2028
Next match: vs USA (dead rubber)
World Cup campaign unravels
Entering the tournament as potential dark horses, Turkiye instead stumbled to back-to-back defeats. A 2-0 loss to Australia was followed by a 1-0 defeat against Paraguay, who played the entire second half with ten men. With zero points from two matches, Turkiye's elimination was confirmed before their final Group D fixture against the USA.
The early exit stunned a squad boasting talents such as Kenan Yildiz and Hakan Calhanoglu. Montella, who led the team at UEFA Euro 2024, faced immediate calls to step down.
Federation chief rules out change
However, Haciosmanoglu moved swiftly to quash speculation, telling reporters before Monday's training session: "Everyone's heart aches, because these were not the ambitions we had. But coach Montella will continue. He has not been given the chance to resign, and we have never considered sacking him."
The president's full backing comes despite the poor results and underlines the federation's faith in the longer-term project. Montella only recently penned a new contract until July 2028, a sign of the investment Turkiye have made in his vision.
What next for Montella and Turkiye?
The dead rubber against co-hosts USA offers a chance to restore some pride, but attention will quickly turn to the post-tournament review. With a contract running deep into the next World Cup cycle, Montella is expected to lead Turkiye through UEFA Euro 2028 qualifying—provided results improve. For now, the federation has drawn a line under an embarrassing group-stage exit, choosing stability over a hasty reset.
Key Takeaways
- Turkish Football Federation President Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu has guaranteed Vincenzo Montella's job safety.
- Turkiye lost 2-0 to Australia and 1-0 to 10-man Paraguay, crashing out of the 2026 World Cup without a point.
- Montella was not allowed to resign and will remain in charge, protected by a contract until 2028.
- The team plays a dead rubber against USA before beginning preparations for Euro 2028 qualifying.