Several Turkish media outlets report that Sergen Yalcin is poised to become the new head coach for the Turkish national team. The experienced 53-year-old coach, who previously led Besiktas until mid-May, has reportedly agreed to take the role. Official confirmation of his appointment is anticipated following a board meeting at the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) on Tuesday.
Montella’s Dismissal and Search for a New Coach
Vincenzo Montella was relieved of his duties earlier this month after three years at the helm. Despite a commendable achievement in reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 and guiding a squad featuring Real Madrid’s Arda Güler to the upcoming 2026 World Cup, Montella’s tenure was marred by poor performance. A disappointing start to the World Cup in North America, marked by two consecutive defeats, culminated in a group-stage exit. Moreover, the recent Nations League campaign saw the team suffer four defeats in quick succession, heightening frustrations among fans and officials alike.
Home losses against Italy (1-4) and Belgium (0-3) fueled growing dissent, ultimately leading to Montella’s dismissal. Initially, Arda Turan, a celebrated former Turkey international, was viewed as the front-runner to take over the managerial position. However, he opted to remain with Shakhtar Donetsk, where he has an existing contract until the next summer. Turan has been with the leading Ukrainian club since 2025.
Sergen Yalcin: A Home-Grown Solution for Turkey
The Turkish Football Federation also reached out to another potential candidate, Abdullah Avci, who recently coached Trabzonspor and previously headed the national team from 2011 to 2013. However, Avci was unavailable, leaving Yalcin as the next logical choice. The federation’s quick decision to pursue a home-grown coach follows the trend of appointing foreign managers like Montella and Stefan Kuntz before him. This shift represents a desire to invest in domestic talent and build a more locally-driven coaching foundation.
Sergen Yalcin, like his competitor Arda Turan, enjoys a legendary status in Turkish football, particularly with Besiktas. As a former player, Yalcin earned 37 caps for Turkey, netting five goals in international competitions. His contributions were pivotal during their successful Euro 2000 qualification campaign, where he recorded five assists and one goal. Notably, Yalcin’s career was hampered by injuries, missing the 2002 World Cup where Turkey finished third.
Coaching Journey and Future Challenges
After retiring from professional football in 2008, Yalcin began his coaching journey as a youth coach at Besiktas. His coaching career has seen him guide various Turkish clubs, though frequently for shorter stints. He first took charge of the Besiktas first team and returned in the summer of 2025. However, he resigned earlier this year, making way for a fresh start with the national team. Yalcin’s most notable achievement as a coach was during the 2020/21 season when he led Besiktas to a league and cup double.
Yalcin’s first outing as the national team coach will be on 12 November when Turkey faces Belgium in the Nations League. Three days later, the squad will travel to battle against France, now under the guidance of new coach Zinedine Zidane. With the team having lost four consecutive matches this campaign, challenges loom large as Turkey teeters on the brink of relegation from League A of the Nations League.