INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 25: Turkey head coach Vincenzo Montella arrives at the stadium before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between Turkey and USA at Los Angeles Stadium on June 25, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Vincenzo Montella “doesn’t want to think negatively” ahead of Turkey’s Nations League game against Italy, despite reports that he could be sacked soon. “I cannot accept unreasonable criticism.”
It kicks off at Stadio Dall’Ara in Bologna on Monday at 7.45pm UK time (8.45pm CEST).
Pressure is mounting on the Italian tactician, already under attack after his disappointing performance at the 2026 World Cup this summer.
He started the Nations League campaign with three defeats, 1-0 to France, 4-1 to Italy, then 3-0 away to Belgium, prompting calls for his resignation.
Montella maintains the Turkish record
“We want to win, compete and challenge ourselves at this level,” Montella said at a news conference.
“We had our say in most of the three games and, except for the match against Italy, the result was in the balance for a long time. We are motivated, we are interested to see what happens and we are eager to get results because it is not enough to play at the level.”
This is not the strongest Turkish side that Montella could attract, as Juventus striker Kanan Yıldız and Inter midfielder Hakan Çalhanoğlu are injured.
Real Madrid talent Arda Güler was sent off and suspended for the game against Belgium, further weakening the squad.
“They are all important players for us as well as for their clubs. However, it is a good opportunity to see new players in action and evaluate them.
“Despite our shortcomings, I am confident that we will be competitive and try to bring home the win.”
Since taking over in October 2023, his record for Turkey is 21 wins, 5 draws and 13 defeats, during which he was promoted to the Nations League A and qualified for the first World Cup in 24 years.
“I am used to the dynamics of football, I know and accept them,” the coach added.
“What I cannot accept is irrational criticism. I can appreciate what I consider to be constructive criticism. It is the first time in the history of Turkey that we are participating in Nations League A, and I am the only coach who has brought us to this level.
“We would like to play more competitive games like the second half against France or Italy, but we struggle to score. Against Belgium we were in the box 42 times and I asked what more I could do.
“A few days ago, I was asked if I knew a striker who scored nearly 100 goals in the third division of Turkey, and then I found out that he is 32 years old. If there was someone we could develop for the future, I would consider him, but such illogical criticism annoys me.
“I understand that people may be worried after an early exit from the World Cup, but we went into the tournament with our best players who were not in good form.
“That might be one way of reading it, but in football there are always new goals and opportunities, so we have to learn from this elimination and grow.”
It’s special for Montella to be back on Italian soil and face former Sampdoria team-mate Roberto Mancini, but he was asked if he knew it could be his last game as Turkey coach.
“I am determined, motivated and a professional who always gives everything with passion and a pure heart. Although I know the dynamics of football very well, this is my state of mind. I don’t want to think negatively.”
A1 group
Rank | Teams |
He won |
Taken |
Lost |
Goal difference |
Scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 France | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| 2 |
 Belgium | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
| 3 |
 Italy | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 4 |
 Turkey | 0 | 0 | 3 | -7 | 0 |