EDDIE HOWE led the way today for the Premier League’s long-overdue response to the Covid-19 crisis by becoming the first top-flight figure to take a wage cut.
While the PFA continued to dither over a uniform donation of players’ salaries, the Bournemouth boss voluntarily agreed to give up a “significant” chunk of his £4million-a-year pay packet during this uncertain time.
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Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe has become the first Premier League boss to take a wage cut amid the coronavirus crisisCredit: PA:Press Association
It comes after Prem clubs and stars received widespread criticism for failing to cough up proportionate contributions given their mega-rich bank balances as Coronavirus ravages society.
The fact that the likes of Tottenham and Newcastle are relying on the taxpayer for help with furloughed non-footballing staff despite their multi-million profits has left a particularly sour taste.
Bournemouth today confirmed they also are temporarily furloughing a number of staff across all areas of the club for a minimum of three weeks.
But the hope is more managers and players will emulate Howe, whose assistant Jason Tindall, technical director Richard Hughes and Cherries chief exec Neill Blake have also followed suit.
And that Gordon Taylor will stop dragging the PFA’s heels and come to an arrangement for player wage cuts in the coming days.
A Cherries statement read: “There is no script for moments like this. No tactics and no set plays to find a winning formula.
“But as a board we are continually looking at ways to ensure the future of the club and our employees is protected when the season returns.
“These measures have been taken to safeguard the financial stability of the club during what is such an uncertain period, not only in football but for businesses in all industries across the world.”
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The South Coast outfit are promising to top up the salaries of staff furloughed to 100 per cent during this time, with all benefits, including pension contributions, also paid by the club.
Every department has been affected, some more than others depending on the responsibilities held.
Those working in the club shop or hospitality, for example, have been more affected as there is currently next to no work to be carried out.
Training courses are being offered to those furloughed – with one member of the media department being funded to learn a new language during their time off.
Meanwhile, Howe today revealed Artur Boruc and all four first-team staff who were self-isolating two weeks ago after displaying symptoms are “all fine and fully recovered”.
But he admitted his fears over players’ mental wellbeing during lockdown.
The 42-year-old added: “Usually you have a big control over players’ training, general health, even their food – getting two meals a day with us.
“Suddenly you lose all of that contact with them. It’s more the mental wellbeing at the moment, that’s probably my biggest concern.
“The guys with families will probably have their days filled up, like mine are being, with their children – having people around the house and not feeling isolated.
“But it’s the single guys, maybe the people that don’t have a wife or a girlfriend and definitely don’t have kids. They are the ones I am most worried about at this present time.”
Simon Jordan rants that Premier League players must take a pay cut for football to survive
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
