Turkey appoints Sergen Yalcin as head coach, passes on Deschamps

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has officially announced the appointment of Sergen Yalcin as head coach, ending speculation surrounding Didier Deschamps. The TFF’s board of directors ratified the decision at a formal meeting, after several other options — including the former France coach and Arda Turan — fell through.

Free since the end of his tenure with the French national team this summer, Deschamps was presented as a serious option by Turkish officials. However, the project did not meet his criteria: the national team is going through a difficult period, marked by a missed World Cup and four defeats in four Nations League matches, making relegation to League B almost inevitable. Abdullah Avci, also approached, also declined.

In choosing Sergen Yalcin, the TFF breaks with its recent policy of appointing foreign coaches — German Stefan Kuntz and Italian Vincenzo Montella — to entrust the reins to a local manager. An emblematic figure in Turkish football, the former left-sided midfielder, 53, made 37 appearances for the national team and distinguished himself during qualifying for Euro 2000. On the bench, he won a league and cup double with Besiktas in 2021 before being relieved of his duties last May.

The task ahead is considerable. Yalcin will begin with a home match against Belgium on November 12, before traveling to France three days later to face the Bleus now led by Zinédine Zidane. An immediate double challenge for a coach tasked with reviving a team in crisis, with talents like Arda Güler as a foundation for the future.