Top News

Turkey’s World Cup campaign ended in disappointment, but head coach Vincenzo Montella will remain in charge after the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) confirmed it would stand by him despite widespread criticism.

Turkey’s long-awaited return to the World Cup stage turned into a nightmare as they were eliminated with one group game still to play. Following consecutive defeats to Australia and Paraguay, the TFF issued a firm statement regarding Montella’s future, declaring their full support for the Italian manager.

TFF president confirms Montella’s position is secure

The Turkish side entered the tournament in North America with great optimism, marking their first World Cup appearance in 24 years. However, their group stage campaign across the USA, Canada, and Mexico ended in early elimination. Nevertheless, TFF president Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu acted swiftly to quell speculation about a managerial change, insisting that Montella remains the right man to lead the team forward.

Speaking to the press on Monday, Haciosmanoglu declared, “We will stand by both the coach of this team and the players. This is not a club. When you look at club football, failures happen because of a lack of continuity. You cannot just send away 15 players and bring in 15 new ones here.”

Backing the process despite disappointing results

Turkey’s elimination came after a poor run of results, beginning with a 2-0 defeat to Australia in their opening match. Their second game against Paraguay offered an opportunity to recover, especially after earning a numerical advantage for much of the contest, but they still succumbed to a 1-0 loss. As a result, their final group fixture against the USA has become a formality, serving only as a chance to end their campaign on a more positive note.

“You cannot sack the coach and bring in a new one. You cannot remove the chairman and appoint another,” Haciosmanoglu continued, emphasising the importance of consistency.

He further explained that the federation’s perspective extends beyond the current disappointment, noting the achievement of qualifying for the World Cup after a long absence. “That is why we stand by our players. We do not replace those who have walked this journey with us for others we meet along the way,” he added.

Stability over impulsive decisions

Haciosmanoglu’s argument rests heavily on the need for stability — something often lacking in Turkish football. By keeping Montella in charge, the TFF aims to avoid the short-term reactions that have historically disrupted the national team’s progress.

Responding to the intense criticism directed at both the players and coaching staff, the TFF president made it clear that he would not bow to public or media pressure. He expressed his belief that the current squad and technical team have the potential to recover and succeed, provided they are given the opportunity to learn from their mistakes.

Focus shifts to Euro 2028 qualification

With their World Cup journey cut short, Turkey has already turned its focus to the next major international target — Euro 2028 qualification. Haciosmanoglu expressed absolute confidence in the current group’s ability to lead the nation back to success, saying, “These men will bring us the same successes again.”