Soccer-Turkey to end coach Kuntz's contract after he criticised players -DHA report

FILE PHOTO:Soccer Football - Euro 2024 Qualifier - Group D - Turkey v Armenia - The New Eskisehir Ataturk Stadium, Eskisehir, Turkey - September 8, 2023 Turkey coach Stefan Kuntz REUTERS/Murad Sezer/File photo

ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey's soccer federation decided to terminate coach Stefan Kuntz's contract after the German manager criticised his players following the national team's friendly loss to Japan last week, the Demiroren News Agency (DHA) said on Sunday.

After the 4-2 defeat to Japan on Tuesday, Kuntz responded to fans' calls for his resignation by saying his players needed to work harder and that he should not take all the blame.