Arda Turan has told the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) that he does not want to leave Shakhtar Donetsk, as the federation considers him for the national team’s head coaching position.

Axar.az reports, citing Turkish media, that the TFF responded by proposing that Turan coach both Shakhtar Donetsk and the Turkish national team.

Turan told federation officials: “My club does not want me to leave, and I will not abandon it midway while there is a war.”

Turan is expected to discuss the proposal with Shakhtar’s management. If the talks fail to produce an agreement, the federation may consider foreign candidates.

Other names under consideration include Senol Gunes, Abdullah Avcı and Fatih Tekke.

Turan began his coaching career at Eyupspor, leading the Istanbul club to promotion to the Turkish Super Lig. He was appointed Shakhtar Donetsk’s head coach on July 1, 2025. According to the published statistics, he has recorded 40 wins, 12 draws and nine defeats in 61 matches with the Ukrainian club.