Report now;Burnley players made £100m huge bonus payments to keep Clarets in Premier League
Burnley have staged a remarkable fight for survival in recent weeks after looking doomed for so much of the season.
Interim boss Mike Jackson has steered the club to three straight wins which has lifted them out of the relegation zone and they now look to be in a three-way fight with Leeds and Everton to stay up.
But behind the uplift in results is what looks like a shrewd wage structure which is heavily incentivised, based on bonuses and will see players get a huge increase if they beat the drop.
Experienced first teamers generally earn between £30,000 to £45,000-a-week which is a huge salary but, in Premier League terms, Burnley ’s wage bill is at the lower end of the scale.
Dyche did one of the best jobs in the Premier League but there has been a change in performances under Jackson with captain Ben Mee also a prominent figure on the touchline. James Tarkowski and Jack Cork are also big voices.
It gives strength to the belief that experienced pros at a club like Burnley might not need a lot of managing as they look after themselves. It is unlikely Burnley will stick with Jackson for the long term even if they stay up as he has been happy as under-23s boss until now.
Derby boss Wayne Rooney, who has done such a remarkable job in difficult circumstances, remains a good shout because he could fit their bill.But the contracts are structured so players will earn bonuses for staying up. Several players stand to pocket extra – around another third of their weekly wage – for each game they have played in. If they stay up, it will be counted back so first team regulars stand to get huge rewards.
It is giving the players an extra incentive which is vital as this week Burnley’s accounts revealed the club will have to pay back “significant” loan repayments of £65m if they go down.
