Arda Turan has firmly reiterated his commitment to Shakhtar Donetsk, despite being the Turkish Football Federation's preferred candidate for the vacant national team manager position. The 39-year-old coach stated he is ready to remain in Ukraine as long as the club maintains its trust in him.
The TFF began its search for a new head coach after parting ways with Vincenzo Montella on October 9. The federation's primary target is former national team star Arda Turan. Should that option not materialize, foreign candidates will be considered. One such candidate is 57-year-old Italian Francesco Calzona, who managed Slovakia until April 2026, leading them to the round of 16 at UEFA Euro 2024.
Turan expressed excitement at seeing his name linked with the role and thanked supporters for their attention. He stated his preference to gain more experience on the pitch as a young coach and to develop further while representing his country's flag abroad. "Sometimes words carry more weight than feelings and decisions. I can say that both factors you mentioned are extremely important to me," he said.
With his contract at Shakhtar running until June 30, 2027, Turan put the matter to rest with a clear declaration: "I am here now and I am ready to serve my club as long as Shakhtar Donetsk trusts me." Turan began his managerial career at Eyüpspor, led İstanbulspor to the 2023/24 1. Lig title and promotion, and has been in charge of Shakhtar since July 2025.
Francesco Calzona, for his part, said it would be a great honour for him to manage the Türkiye national team. His advisor has told him to stay prepared for a new opportunity, and Calzona added that managing Türkiye after a good period with Slovakia would be a privilege.
Amid this managerial uncertainty, the national team is handling a tough period, having lost its last four matches. The next fixture, a home game against Belgium on November 12, now carries significant weight for the squad's immediate future.
This story first appeared at Türkiye Gazetesi
