Sergen Yalçın Emerges as Leading Candidate for Turkey Head Coach Job
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In brief
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has offered the national team coaching job to Sergen Yalçın after terminating Vincenzo Montella's contract on October 9, 2026, following four straight defeats in Turkey's debut UEFA Nations League A campaign. A final decision is expected after a TFF board meeting, with the new coach's first matches set for mid-November against Belgium and France.
Turkey's men's national football team is set to get a new head coach, with former Beşiktaş manager Sergen Yalçın reported as the leading candidate for the job, according to Turkish sports media. The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) made Yalçın an offer for the post, and journalist Aydın Cingöz reported that the two sides had reached an agreement, as reported by Yeni Şafak.
Why the coaching job opened up
The TFF terminated Vincenzo Montella's contract on October 9, 2026, after more than three years in charge, according to Takvim. The Italian coach's exit followed a winless start to Turkey's first-ever campaign in UEFA Nations League A, the top tier of the competition. Turkey lost its opening four group matches, and fans chanted for Montella's resignation during the away defeats to Italy and Belgium, Milliyet reported. In the most recent of those matches, played in early October, Turkey lost 3-1 away to Italy after falling behind to a 26th-minute goal from Gianluca Scamacca.
Yalçın's record and public remarks
Yalçın most recently coached Beşiktaş from August 2025 to May 2026, finishing the 2025-26 Süper Lig season in fourth place with 60 points from 20 wins, 10 draws and 9 losses in 39 matches, according to Hürriyet. As a club legend who won titles at Beşiktaş both as a player and later as a coach, Yalçın had already been a vocal critic of Montella's handling of the national team before the TFF approached him.
Don't waste these kids on Montella and the like, it's a shame.
— Sergen Yalçın, quoted by NTV
The TFF's management board was due to meet to finalize the decision, with an official announcement expected shortly afterward, Hürriyet reported.
Other names in contention
Yalçın is not the only name linked to the vacancy. Abdullah Avcı, who previously coached the national team from 2011 to 2013 and led Trabzonspor to the 2021-22 Süper Lig title, confirmed to Anadolu Agency that his name had been mentioned but said no concrete offer existed as of October 13. Samet Aybaba, currently Technical Coordinator for Turkey's youth national teams, was also floated as a possible caretaker for the November matches, according to Takvim. Separately, Arda Turan was reported to have been considered but declined, saying he intended to stay with Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk.
Candidates for the Turkey national team coaching job
Name
Recent/relevant post
National team link
Sergen Yalçın
Beşiktaş head coach (Aug 2025-May 2026)
Reportedly offered the job; agreement reported by Yeni Şafak
Abdullah Avcı
Previously coached Trabzonspor, Beşiktaş and Başakşehir
Turkey head coach 2011-2013; says no firm offer yet
Samet Aybaba
TFF Technical Coordinator, youth national teams
Floated as possible caretaker for November fixtures
Arda Turan
Head coach, Shakhtar Donetsk
Reported to have declined interest, per Takvim
What happens next
Whoever is appointed will face an immediate test: Turkey's remaining Nations League A, Group 1 matches against Belgium and France are scheduled for mid-November, according to the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) and Takvim. Turkey sits bottom of the four-team group, which also includes France, Italy and Belgium, with zero points after losing all four of its opening matches, according to Hürriyet and Milliyet. The TFF has not issued an official statement naming a new head coach as of the latest reports.
Questions
Who is the leading candidate to coach Turkey's national football team?
Sergen Yalçın, the former Beşiktaş head coach, has been offered the job by the Turkish Football Federation and is reported to have reached an agreement, according to Yeni Şafak and Hürriyet.
Why did Vincenzo Montella leave the Turkey job?
The TFF terminated his contract on October 9, 2026, after Turkey lost its first four matches in its debut UEFA Nations League A campaign, per Takvim and Milliyet.
When will Turkey's new coach take charge of his first matches?
Turkey's two remaining Nations League A matches, against Belgium and France, are scheduled for mid-November 2026, according to the Turkish Football Federation and Takvim.
Is Sergen Yalçın officially confirmed as Turkey's coach?
Not yet as of the latest reports; the TFF's management board was expected to finalize the decision, with an official announcement to follow, according to Hürriyet.
Who else is being considered for the job besides Yalçın?
Abdullah Avcı and Samet Aybaba have been named in Turkish media, while Arda Turan was reported to have declined interest in favor of staying at Shakhtar Donetsk.
How the world is telling it
TurkishTurkish sports outlets have driven the story hour by hour, citing unnamed TFF officials and reporter sources (notably Aydın Cingöz) to report Yalçın's offer and reported agreement before any formal federation statement, while also tracking fan protests against Montella during the losing Nations League run.
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