Turkey sack Vincenzo Montella: How the Euro magic faded into a Nations League nightmare

The Turkish Football Federation's (TFF) decision to sack manager Vincenzo Montella on 9 October 2026 dealt a heavy blow to the nation's footballing ambitions, but it was an outcome long in the making. In just a few short months, the Turkish national team has plummeted from the highs of their Euro 2024 quarter-final run to the absolute depths, losing all four of their opening Nations League 2026/27 fixtures with a dismal -9 goal difference.

The rapid collapse of the Italian tactician's reign was not merely a consequence of poor results on the scoreboard; it also exposed unresolved tactical conundrums and selection inconsistencies. Behind the TFF's decisive move to terminate his contract lies a chain of deep-rooted, systemic issues that demand serious analysis.

Tactical errors and the strikerless crisis

Montella's stubborn insistence on a "strikerless" system became the focal point of fierce media criticism as Turkey looked completely toothless against heavyweights like France, Belgium, and Italy. This stagnation was further compounded by the absence of key trio Hakan Calhanoglu, Kenan Yildiz, and Arda Guler, leaving his tactical experiments looking harmless and directionless.

Consequently, this turgid style of play dragged Turkey into their worst slump in years, suffering six defeats in their last seven matches, including their World Cup 2026 campaign. This rock-bottom run of form was the final straw, exhausting the TFF board's patience and forcing them to bring the curtain down on the Italian's tenure.

Financial hit and the TFF's managerial gamble

Sacking Montella has dealt a significant financial blow to the TFF, with the federation forced to pay a severance package of €915,000—equivalent to five months' salary for a contract that was set to run until Euro 2028. It is a hefty price to pay to bring an end to the Italian's highly debated legacy of 21 wins, 5 draws, and 14 defeats in 40 matches. Although he was credited with ending Turkey's World Cup drought, he ultimately disappointed by crashing out in the group stage and plunging the team into a severe crisis.

To solve this tactical conundrum, the TFF are turning to a gamble in Arda Turan. At 39, the former Atletico Madrid and Barcelona star is expected to inject fresh life and rebuild the squad ahead of daunting clashes against Belgium and France.

Editorial view

While the TFF's decision to pay a massive payout to sack Montella is financially painful, it was an unavoidable step to salvage the future of Turkish football. With tactical experiments hitting a dead end and fan confidence at rock bottom, a radical overhaul in the dugout was the necessary move to halt the slide before things spiralled completely out of control.

Now, the hot seat looks set to be occupied by Arda Turan, who faces the monumental task of rebuilding a demoralised squad and restoring the national team's fighting spirit. In your opinion, does the former midfielder have the tactical acumen to lift Turkey out of their Nations League crisis?