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DORTMUND, GERMANY – JUNE 18: Vincenzo Montella, Head Coach of Turkiye, gestures during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Turkiye and Georgia at Football Stadium Dortmund on June 18, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Vincenzo Montella was full of praise for Juventus and head coach Luciano Spalletti following their 2-0 win over Bologna on Sunday evening, but jokingly warned the Bianconeri tactician: ‘From here until the end of the season, let’s not take any risks with Yildiz’.
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Montella, head coach of Turkiye, was a guest analyst on Sky Sport’s Serie A coverage on Sunday evening and spoke in-depth about his role, his relationship with Yildiz and his previous experiences working under Spalletti.
Montella on Turkiye role and Italy disappointment: ‘It’s not all negative’
It has been over six years since Montella last worked in Italy, joining Adana Demirspor in 2021 before being appointed as head coach of the Turkiye national team in 2023.
He explained to Sky Sport viewers why he decided to make the move to Turkiye five years ago: “I didn’t have any interviews in Italy for a year and a half. I went to Turkiye to get back into the game because there weren’t any interviews coming my way here, no chance,” (via Tuttosport).
“I also thought about stopping coaching because there were no chances, then COVID arrived. I was fine at home. Then some teams that I didn’t like came along. Then I decided to go and work my way up in Turkiye and start again.”
And on the difficulties that face Turkiye heading into the 2026 World Cup, he added: “We don’t have a recognised striker, so it becomes important for us to come in with players of great quality, strength and speed, especially in attack. We’ve gathered talent, I’ve brought them together under this banner, we’ve given them a bit of tactical organisation.”
As we all know, Italy will not be competing at the 2026 World Cup following their third consecutive defeat in the World Cup play-offs back at the end of March.
“It’s not all negative,” Montella insisted. “Italy, taking away some of the strongest teams, is competitive. There’s a bit of tension with the non-participation in the World Cup, but this team deserved to go because of its technical values. I wouldn’t be so defeatist.”
Montella on Juventus, Spalletti and Yildiz: ‘He’s always been a genius’
Montella and Spalletti’s paths have crossed several times throughout their careers, first as players at Empoli, and later as player and coach respectively at Sampdoria and Roma.
“We played together in ‘92. I was at the beginning of my career and he was almost at the end of his. Then he coached me at Empoli, Sampdoria and I saw him again at Roma. He’s always been a genius because he invents, studies, develops and his teams always play well,” said Montella.
During his time in charge of Milan, Montella also coached a young Manuel Locatelli: “I’m pleased to see him all grown up and the captain of Juve,” he said.
Montella feels that Juventus could have done with the services of Dusan Vlahovic heading into the final stretch of Serie A fixtures, though: “I’m sorry he’s injured because I think he could have made a big contribution.”
And on Yildiz, Montella said: “He always wants to improve, he’s balanced. There are signs that make you notice him immediately. ‘Mister, let me do something else’. He never comes off the pitch, he arrives earlier than anyone else and still does. And in my opinion, he’s destined to improve even more.
“He’s devastating in one-on-ones, the opponents can barely get the ball off him. I like to play him on the left with Turkiye for our organisation, but he also has to come inside and play.”
And if there’s one piece of advice that Montella can offer Spalletti: “If I have one suggestion, from here until the end of the season, let’s not take any risks with Kenan, please.”
ByPeter Young
Peter Young is a Senior Reporter with Football Italia.
