Zoom Image
Stefan Kuntz was Turkey's national coach for almost two years
Photo: Uncredited / dpa
After rumours about the departure of Stefan Kuntz as national coach of Turkey and a subsequent denial by the association, it is now certain: After almost two years, the 1996 European champion has been released as Turkey's national football coach. This was announced today by the TFF association.
On Sunday, Turkish media had already reported unanimously on the departure of the former U21 coach of the German Football Association (DFB), but the Turkish association rejected these reports as "not true".
"We would like to thank Mr. Stefan Kuntz for his contribution to our national football team and wish him every success in his future life," the statement on the association's website said. This was preceded by an "evaluation meeting" between the 60-year-old and the head of the association.
Kuntz was also considered a candidate for the national coach post and thus for the successor to the dismissed Hansi Flick. However, the choice of the DFB has fallen on Julian Nagelsmann, even if a confirmation is still pending.
On Tuesday last week, Turkey lost 2-4 to Japan, the fifth defeat in Kuntz's 20th international match with Turkey. But the 60-year-old has been criticized for some time. He missed out on a World Cup ticket for Qatar in the play-offs last year, but in qualifying for the European Championships in his home country, he was on course for second place in Group D behind World Cup third-placed Croatia.
cf/sid