The Turkish Football Federation has announced a successor to the sacked Vincenzo Montella. Former international Sergen Yalcin is to take charge of the World Cup participants.
Just a few days after Vincenzo Montella’s dismissal, the successor as manager of the Turkish national team has been confirmed: Sergen Yalcin is set to lead the team back to success following four consecutive defeats.
Yalcin has managed several Turkish teams, including his former youth club, Beşiktaş Istanbul, on two occasions. In the summer, he parted ways with the club with whom he had won the league and cup double during his first spell in charge in 2021. The 53-year-old has signed a contract with the Turkish Football Federation running until 2030 – in other words, until the next World Cup, which will be held across three continents.
Yalcin is a product of Turkish football
As a player, Yalcin played for Besiktas, Fenerbahce and Galatasaray – the first player ever to do so. For the national team, the former midfielder made 37 international appearances (scoring five goals) and was part of the Turkish squad at the 1996 and 2000 European Championships.
“Sergen Yalcin is now embarking on a new chapter in his career and will bring his experience from club football to the national team to help our senior national side succeed,” said the Turkish Football Federation.
It can’t get much worse than this. Turkey have lost all of their last four matches, with a goal difference of 2:11. However, Montella also faced Italy twice, as well as Belgium and France, during that run.
No support from the fans – Arda Turan pulls out
The consequences of recent weeks and months were also a factor. The humiliating exit in the group stage of the World Cup – to which Montella had led Turkey for the first time in 24 years – continued to have an impact; many fans still had the lacklustre performances fresh in their minds. They recently booed the Italian relentlessly and called for his resignation.
Arda Turan, who has made 100 appearances for the Turkish national team, was also considered a candidate. However, it is understood that he turned down the offer from the association, meaning that Yalcin will now take the helm. He will make his debut on 12 November in the Nations League home match against Belgium.