Montella waives €330,000 owed by former club Adana Demirspor
In brief
Türkiye national team head coach Vincenzo Montella has waived €330,000 in unpaid wages owed by Adana Demirspor, the club he managed from 2021 to 2023. The financially troubled club, now in Turkey's third tier, thanked him in an official statement.
Vincenzo Montella, the Italian head coach of the Türkiye national team, has given up a €330,000 claim against his former club Adana Demirspor. The club announced on 8 October 2026, via its social media account, that Montella had formally waived the money and thanked him for the gesture.
According to the club, the two sides reached a verbal agreement on 5 September 2026, and Montella formally confirmed his decision once the international break was over. Turkish outlet Ajansspor reported that the sum had remained unpaid since his departure from the club.
Why was Adana Demirspor in debt to Montella?
The €330,000 dated back to Montella's spell as Adana Demirspor head coach between 2021 and 2023. Under the Italian, the club finished fourth in the Süper Lig in 2022/23 and went on to play in the UEFA Europa Conference League the following season (ScoreLab data).
What did the club say?
Adana Demirspor described Montella's decision as a major gesture and said it would keep taking steps to reduce the financial burden inherited from previous years and build a sustainable structure.
“We sincerely thank Mr Montella for this great gesture and the sacrifice he has made, and wish him success in his work.”
How did Adana Demirspor fall so far?
Adana Demirspor have collapsed in the three seasons since the Montella era. In 2024/25 they won only 3 of 36 Süper Lig matches, finished 19th and were relegated. In 2025/26 they managed 1 win, 3 draws and 34 defeats in 38 games in the second-tier 1. Lig, finishing bottom on minus 54 points (ScoreLab data). The club now plays in the third-tier 2. Lig, and its mounting debts have been widely reported in the Turkish press.
| Season | League | Position | Played / Won |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022/23 | Süper Lig | 4th | 36 / 20 |
| 2024/25 | Süper Lig | 19th | 36 / 3 |
| 2025/26 | 1. Lig | 20th | 38 / 1 |
Source: ScoreLab data. In 2025/26 the team scored 22 goals, conceded 169 and finished on -54 points.
What happens next?
Montella's decision removes a €330,000 item from Adana Demirspor's list of debts. The club has said it will take further steps to ease its financial position but has not yet said what they will be. Montella remains in charge of the Türkiye national team.
Sources
- 1.AjanssporAkın Ungan
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Frequently asked questions
How much did Adana Demirspor owe Montella?
According to the club's statement, Vincenzo Montella was owed €330,000 by Adana Demirspor and has waived the full amount.
When did Montella coach Adana Demirspor?
Montella managed Adana Demirspor from 2021 to 2023, and the club finished fourth in the Süper Lig in 2022/23 (ScoreLab data).
When was the waiver confirmed?
The two sides reached a verbal agreement on 5 September 2026, and the club announced Montella's formal confirmation on 8 October 2026.
Which league are Adana Demirspor in now?
After finishing bottom of the 1. Lig in 2025/26, Adana Demirspor are playing in Turkey's third-tier 2. Lig in 2026/27.
This analysis was prepared by the ScoreLab Newsroom using the sources listed and ScoreLab data. Editorial policy