BRIGHTON boss Graham Potter has followed Eddie Howe’s lead by taking a voluntary pay cut during the coronavirus crisis.
On Wednesday, Bournemouth chief Howe became the first Premier League manager to forgo a significant part of his wages.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus in sport live blog for the latest news & updates
Brighton boss Graham Potter has followed Eddie Howe by taking a voluntary pay cutCredit: PA:Press Association
Now Potter has followed suit – along with Albion technical director Dan Ashworth and chief executive Paul Barber – by taking a “significant” salary cut for the next three months.
The trio originally made the offer to chairman Tony Bloom two weeks ago which was appreciated but rejected.
Yet now, following further talks in the last 24 hours between the quartet, it has been accepted to support Bloom’s “significant efforts to protect all jobs at our club and charity”, according to Barber.
In a note sent to staff, Barber said: “[This is] to help Tony to ensure none of our core staff suffer a wage reduction during this uncertain period for our business, Graham Potter, Dan Ashworth and I have voluntarily taken a pay reduction for the months of April, May and June.
“We consider ourselves to be very fortunate to be working for the best of clubs at the most difficult of times.
“So it is entirely appropriate that we play a very small part in reducing the financial burden on Tony.”
POT LUCK
Potter added: “It just felt like a normal thing to offer him (Bloom) because he’s been good to me. I know the pressures he is under as chairman and the challenges he faces. It’s a small part we can do but an important offer.
“Tony being Tony, he said, ‘thank you very much, but, at the moment, we’re working through things’. As things have moved forward, I think we’ve come to the right decision to do what we’ve done.”
“The players are aware of the situation. I am sure they will be willing to help the football club. It is up to them. They have got to make that call themselves.
“I am my own person. I have made the decision for me, for my family, for where I sit at the football club. It is up to the players and the PFA and everyone else to make their own decisions.”
Newcastle were the first Premier League club to place their staff on furlough, a move that was swiftly followed by Tottenham.
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS – BE IN THE KNOW
Get the latest coronavirus news, facts and figures from around the world – plus essential advice for you and your family.
To receive our Covid-19 newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here.
To follow us on Facebook, simply ‘Like’ our Coronavirus page.
Their decision has been met with huge criticism, with their staff to now be paid with taxpayer money, while the club continue to pay the wages of their star players.
David Lammy, Labour MP for Tottenham, tweeted: “It’s criminal that Premier League footballers haven’t moved more quickly to take pay cuts and deferrals.
“And completely wrong that taxpayers are now being asked to subsidise cleaners, caterers and security guards at these clubs instead.”
Tottenham star Son Heung-min set to complete four-week national service in South Korea during coronavirus season delay
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
