Passion is the word that best defines Vincenzo Montella and , the country he has guided to the . The Crescent Stars had not qualified for football’s biggest tournament since 2002, the same year L’Aeroplanino represented Italy at the global showpiece.
It was a tournament that left a bitter taste for Montella and the Azzurri, who suffered defeat at the hands of hosts Korea Republic in the last 16. However, 2002 remains the pinnacle of Türkiye's international footballing achievements. Their semi-final defeat to Brazil was softened by a win in the third-place play-off against co-hosts Korea Republic.
Ahead of the World Cup in North America, Montella sat down with FIFA to discuss his World Cup memories and his expectations for Türkiye as they prepare to take on Australia, Paraguay and co-hosts USA in Group D.
Vincenzo Montella: When you’re a kid kicking a ball around, your biggest dream is to play at a World Cup. I fulfilled a dream, and although it was a long time ago, the emotions are still vivid. It was an experience that helped me come on in leaps and bounds in every way. I still remember the game against Mexico; it was a pivotal match, and I celebrated [Alessandro] Del Piero’s assist as if I’d scored it myself. We had a really strong team back in 2002, and there’s still a sense of regret and disappointment hanging over how the tournament ended.
Here in Türkiye, football runs through people’s veins; everyone is incredibly passionate about it. My tenure at Adana Demirspor really helped me settle in and find my feet. Through coaching in Türkiye, I could see there was real potential, and I was keeping my fingers crossed I’d be offered the national team job. We’ve done a fantastic job over the last two years. We’re fully aware that this alone won’t be enough at a World Cup, given the magnitude of the tournament and the countries involved, but we’re chuffed with what we’re doing.
It’s jam-packed with talent. The players get on like a house on fire and are a really tight-knit unit. For me, it’s a real honour to be their coach. Türkiye are a very young, well-balanced side with a very bright future ahead. Just like Italy, it’s a country steeped in beauty and history. I’ve made a lot of friends here, and it feels amazing to be included and accepted.
There’s a huge sense of national pride here that’s been built over decades. I want them to keep playing with that same sense of belonging, just as they already are. They wear their national shirt with pride, united by the values of their country.
I was optimistic about qualifying for the World Cup, but was fully aware it would be difficult. You don’t get to join up with your players very often, and you never quite know what condition they’ll be in physically or mentally. We had some tough matches along the way, but we did our best to get the results we needed. This is a side that never gives up, and that’s essential in sport.
The most important factor in the semi-final against Romania was the mental strength the lads showed. We stayed patient and didn’t allow ourselves to panic about breaking the deadlock. Winning 1-0 and with a clean sheet to boot shows real team spirit, the ability to defend resolutely and see the match out. I’m incredibly proud of them. To win tight games, you need the right mentality and attitude.
We received a very warm welcome in Kosovo. They tried to unsettle us the night before the match by letting off fireworks, but on the pitch the match was played in the right spirit. They proved to be a very plucky opponent, who had done very well to make it all the way to the play-off final. We knew that patience was the name of the game in that match as well. It was a performance and a result worthy of World Cup qualification. [Kerem] Aktyrkoglu’s strike proved to be the turning point for us. It was a hugely emotional moment when the referee blew the final whistle.
Returning to the World Cup as a coach is definitely different. I carry a different sense of responsibility and awareness. It’s hard to describe such a huge tournament in a few words; everything feels bigger, for better or worse. After all, we’re talking about the biggest stage in world football.
I’ve poured my heart and soul into the Türkiye national side so far. Results also come from having such a talented group of players. Turkish culture is very similar to my own upbringing in a small village just outside Naples. It’s all about respect and pride, I feel like one of them.
We’re just focused on giving it our all and going as far as we possibly can. I prefer to take things step by step. We’ll need to go into the tournament with the right mentality, and the first objective is to make it out of the group stage. Australia are no strangers to these competitions, and Paraguay are used to coming up against top-quality South American sides. Then you’ve got the USA, who are a very competitive side.
Nothing can be taken for granted. Even though we haven’t got to contend with teams like Spain or Argentina in our group, the quality of opposition is still very high. It’s important to dream, but you also have to keep your feet on the ground. I think the 2002 Türkiye side was one of the tournament’s underdogs and they went on a historic run. Nowadays there are more matches and more teams, so consistency is key.
Sources: FIFA Official
