Sergen Yalçın Holds One-on-One Talks with National Team Players

Sergen Yalçın, who was appointed head coach of Turkey's national football team on a four-year contract, is continuing to meet with players before taking up his post. Saying that he had already spoken with some players before signing, Yalçın is contacting other footballers by phone as he works to prepare the first squad.

Yalçın met Kenan Yıldız, who plays in Italy, in person, and is reportedly said to have invited him to the national team despite his injury. Berke Özer, who has been away from the national team for a long time, is also on the call-up list. The coach, who also wants to give chances to young players in the new period, is reportedly planning to include Mert Kömür, who plays for Augsburg.

Yalçın said he had spoken with Berke Özer and that the player is willing to return to the national team. Stressing the importance of unity and togetherness, the coach said the door is open to everyone and that the star-and-crescent jersey will be held above everything else.

The national team parted ways with Vincenzo Montella after losing its first 4 Nations League matches. The team was also eliminated in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, causing great disappointment. The last 2 Nations League matches will be played in November. The team will host Belgium in İzmir on 12 November and travel to France to play on 15 November.

The 53-year-old coach, who has managed Gaziantepspor, Sivasspor, Kayserispor, Eskişehirspor, Konyaspor, Alanyaspor, Yeni Malatyaspor, Antalyaspor and Beşiktaş, began his career in 2013. With Beşiktaş, he won the Süper Lig and the Turkish Cup in the 2020 and 2021 seasons. In his first training camp, he aims to build unity and togetherness within the team.