Vincenzo Montella said he will not resign on Wednesday after Turkey was eliminated from championship contention at the World Cup, putting off a wave of criticism that followed two scoreless defeats. He said through an interpreter: "Will I resign? The answer is no."
The answer mattered because Turkey had already dropped out of the chase after losing 2-0 to Australia and 1-0 to Paraguay, and Montella was facing the question at once from supporters and from the team’s own results. He said, "Because I still have energy. I still have enthusiasm. I also feel stronger after this experience."
Montella’s refusal to step aside keeps the focus on Turkey’s last match, against the unbeaten co-host U.S. on Thursday night at SoFi Stadium. Turkey had been a popular pick to have significant success before its exit, and Montella, who led the side back to the World Cup after a 24-year absence, said the team had dominated both games by many statistical measures even if it could not find the opposing net.
That gap between the numbers and the scoreline is what now hangs over Turkey’s campaign. Montella said, "Maybe if there is somebody who wants me to resign, well, maybe they will have to accept I will not." For now, he is staying, and Turkey will have to finish a tournament that has already turned from expectation to disappointment in front of the U.S. on Thursday night.
