12.10.2026 09:54
The behind-the-scenes details of the meeting held with Arda Turan for the Turkish National Team's head coaching position have been revealed. It was alleged that Turan told the TFF, "My club doesn't want me to leave, and I won't leave them halfway while there is a war." Thereupon, it was claimed that federation officials offered the young coach, "You can coach both the club and the national team."
As the search for a new head coach continues for the National Team following Vincenzo Montella's departure, one of the names that has come up is Arda Turan, who manages Shakhtar Donetsk. It has been claimed that the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) held talks with the 39-year-old coach and that a remarkable meeting took place between the parties.
ARDA TURAN'S REMARKABLE RESPONSE TO THE TFF
According to Sabah's report, the TFF took action to appoint Arda Turan as the head of the National Team. It was stated that the young coach, who met with federation officials, expressed that he did not want to leave his club due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Turan was reported to have said during the meeting, 'My club does not want me to leave, and I will not abandon it midway while there is a war.'
SURPRISE COUNTER-OFFER FROM THE TFF
Following this response from Arda Turan, it was alleged that federation officials proposed a different formula. It was recorded that the TFF delegation offered the young coach, 'You can coach both the club and the national team.' It was claimed that Turan would meet with the Shakhtar Donetsk management to evaluate the proposal in question.
IF NO AGREEMENT IS REACHED, ROUTE TO FOREIGN HEAD COACHES
While the names of Şenol Güneş, Abdullah Avcı and Fatih Tekke are also mentioned among the TFF's head coach candidates, it was stated that if the talks with Arda Turan remain inconclusive, foreign head coach options may be turned to.
FROM EYÜPSPOR TO SHAKHTAR DONETSK
Arda Turan, who began his head coaching career at Eyüpspor, appeared in 84 matches in two seasons at the helm of the Istanbul club. Turan, who led Eyüpspor to the Süper Lig, then fought to take his team to the upper ranks. Appointed as Shakhtar Donetsk's head coach on July 1, 2025, Turan, according to shared statistics, had 40 wins, 12 draws and 9 losses in 61 matches with the Ukrainian team. The young coach achieved a points average of 2.16 in this process.