Roma eyes Türkiye’s national team coach Vincenzo Montella

Italian media report that AS Roma, struggling with an inconsistent start to the Serie A season is considering Vincenzo Montella—the current head coach of the Türkiye national team—as a strong candidate for the club’s head coaching position.

Roma, having already made two managerial changes within the season’s first 12 weeks, recently parted ways with Ivan Juric after initially appointing him to replace Daniele De Rossi. Montella has now emerged as Roma’s preferred choice to bring stability and long-term direction to the club.

Why does Montella appeal to Roma?

Montella brings a mix of qualities that Roma’s management highly values. Known for his clear tactical vision, he is also familiar with Rome and its passionate football culture.

As a former player and coach for Roma, he holds a special place in fans’ hearts, and his past successes have made him especially attractive to the club’s owners, the Friedkin family, particularly Ryan Friedkin.

His salary expectations also align with Roma’s budget, making him a realistic option to lead a long-term project.

Release clause: Montella’s contract with TFF

According to Corriere dello Sport, his contract with the Türkiye national team includes a release clause requiring the payment of six months’ salary—around one million euros—to the Türkiye Football Federation (TFF) for an early exit. He is reportedly open to covering this fee himself, provided Roma offers him a guaranteed, multi-year contract with a salary of at least 2.5 million euros per season.

Roma is currently in active talks with him, with a decision expected before Türkiye’s Nations League match against Wales on Nov. 16. The Friedkin family is reportedly in London, overseeing the search for Juric’s successor.

Coaching background of Montella

Montella’s history with Roma further supports his candidacy. He was a standout forward in Roma’s 2001 Serie A championship-winning team and is a celebrated figure among the club’s fans.

In 2011, he returned to manage Roma on an interim basis, achieving a record of seven wins, three draws, and three losses before a managerial overhaul led to his departure.

Since then, he has coached Fiorentina, AC Milan, Sampdoria, and Sevilla, achieving mixed results, before joining the Turkish national team, where he has seen considerable success.

If Montella returns to Roma, he will be tasked with providing much-needed stability and fostering a long-term project for the club. His deep connection with fans is seen as an additional advantage, making his return potentially transformative for Roma’s future.

Other candidates in Roma’s coaching search

While Montella is the leading candidate, Roma’s management has also evaluated Erik ten Hag and Graham Potter.

However, Frank Lampard, Paulo Sousa, and Edin Terzic are no longer in consideration. Roberto Mancini remains an option, though he has yet to receive a formal offer from Roma.