The selection of 35 players for the 2026 World Cup by Vincenzo Montella has sparked a new wave of debate about his coaching methods and the system he has implemented. Montella, who has been with the Turkish national team since 2018, has worked tirelessly to infuse a new identity into the squad and has managed to achieve a certain level of harmony among the players. His '9-numberless' system was accepted by many after leading Turkey to the quarterfinals of the 2024 European Championship.

Montella’s approach is clear: he wants to run the national team like a club, paying equal attention to both on-field and off-field activities. This approach is evident in his comments and those of the TFF (Turkish Football Federation) President. Questions about certain players' inclusion, such as Samet Akaydın, often elicit answers focusing on their off-field contributions.

Montella manages his team with a core group of 13-14 players, whether he selects 35 or 20 players for the national team. While this method has led to success, such as the qualification for the 2026 World Cup and the European Championship quarterfinals, it raises questions about the effectiveness of the national player pool. Despite the TFF's focus on developing local talent, the number of players from the Süper Lig in the national squad remains limited. This situation could hinder the long-term development of Turkish players.

The rigid system Montella has established might discourage young Turkish talents from striving for national team selection. To address this, the TFF needs to either make the foreign player rule more flexible or face the reality that their current approach may not be sustainable. Oğulcan Çoksayar