AI-generated illustration

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) formally appointed Sergen Yalçın as head coach of the men's national team at a signing ceremony held at the Riva Hasan Doğan National Teams Camp and Training Facilities, sealing a four-year agreement.

TFF President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu and Yalçın addressed guests at the event, outlining plans targeting UEFA Euro 2028 and the 2030 FIFA World Cup after the team's previous coach, Vincenzo Montella, left the post.

Signing held at Riva facilities

Yalçın said the essence of the job is success. The contract runs four years and targets UEFA Euro 2028 and the 2030 FIFA World Cup. He said that for the national team neither the contract nor the length of service matters in the same way, that criticism is normal and part of the work, and that the staff will do what it believes is right and see the outcome together.

Outlining his background, Yalçın said he did not move straight into coaching after retiring as a player. He worked at Anatolian clubs and with teams in relegation battles, which he said brought serious experience, before a period at a big club where cups and a league title followed. Playing for all four major Istanbul clubs, he said, gave him knowledge of how each club works.

Yalçın said football is results-driven and that good results leave little room for problems, adding that some choices will not please everyone but that he feels fully prepared. He concluded that he expects to be very successful and to bring the national team to where it wants to be. After the speeches, Yalçın signed the four-year contract, and the ceremony ended with a group photograph.

Key takeaways

• Sergen Yalçın signed a four-year contract as head coach of Turkey's men's national team at a ceremony at the Riva Hasan Doğan facilities.
• TFF President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu thanked outgoing coach Vincenzo Montella and said the team is being handed to a Turkish coach after five years.
• Yalçın called the appointment the most important day of his career and said the door is open to all players, including Berke Özer.
• The agreement targets UEFA Euro 2028 and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, with two matches left that could lead to a play-off.