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Former Besiktas coach Sergen Yalcin announced Tuesday that he has reached an agreement with the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) to take over as head coach of Türkiye's national football team, following the departure of Italian manager Vincenzo Montella.
Speaking during a program on Kafa Sports, Yalcin confirmed the agreement and described the opportunity to lead Türkiye's national team as a source of pride and happiness.
Yalcin emphasized the importance of the position, saying that representing the national team comes above everything else and expressing hope that the team would achieve success with the support of the Turkish public.
"This duty is a very important one. The crescent and star are above everything. It is a position every coach wants to reach. Being the people's coach is a wonderful feeling. It is a source of pride and happiness for me, too. Hopefully, with everyone's support, a successful journey awaits us with the national team," Yalcin said.
The announcement came after the TFF reached an agreement in principle with Yalcin as it moved to appoint a successor to Montella.
Yalcin previously enjoyed a successful spell at Istanbul club Besiktas, where he took charge in January 2020 and went on to secure both the Turkish Super Lig championship and the Turkish Cup during the 2020-21 season.
Besiktas finished ahead of Galatasaray on goal difference to claim the league title before defeating Antalyaspor 2-0 in the Turkish Cup final, completing a domestic double.
However, Yalcin stepped down midway through the following season after a series of disappointing results, ending his first spell with 47 victories in 83 competitive matches.
He returned to Besiktas in August 2025 after the club parted ways with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following its elimination from the UEFA Conference League playoffs against Lausanne.
During his second stint, Besiktas finished fourth in the Super Lig and reached the Turkish Cup semifinals. His contract was terminated by mutual agreement on May 18, 2026.
Born in Istanbul on Nov. 5, 1972, Yalcin began his football career in Besiktas' youth academy before making his professional debut with the club in 1991.
He subsequently played for several prominent Turkish clubs, including Fenerbahce, Galatasaray and Trabzonspor, before returning to Besiktas in 2002. He also represented Türkiye internationally between 1993 and 2003.
Following his retirement as a player, Yalcin moved into coaching through Besiktas' youth teams and later managed several Turkish Super Lig clubs, including Gaziantepspor, Sivasspor, Kayserispor, Konyaspor, Alanyaspor and Yeni Malatyaspor.
His agreement with the TFF now marks his first opportunity to lead Türkiye's senior national team, bringing him back into international football in a coaching role.
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