Chelsea’s top hierarchy has been reluctant to sack its under-performing manager, Jose Mourinho because of the heavy financial prize tag involved.
Despite an unprecedented loss of form that saw the Premier League Champions languishing precariously just one point above relegation zone after losing nine matches in 16 games and crashing out of the Capital One Cup, the West London Club has continued to foot-drag on sealing the fate of their maverick manager.
And that is because, according to number crunchers, Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich will be forced to pay the Portuguese gaffer more than £40million if he is fired at this point.
Although, an emergency board meeting is scheduled today, Wednesday, where Abramovich will hold more talks with his management team — Bruce Buck, Marina Granovskaia, Eugene Tenenbaum and Michael Emenalo —about Mourinho’s future, much of the decision would weigh on the financial implication of laying him off and hiring another top manager.
“Buying out Mourinho’s four-year, £250,000-a-week deal is one of the main reasons behind the reluctance to sack Mourinho so soon after agreeing a new contract”, said Neil Ashton.
Chelsea boxed itself into tight corner after handing Mourinho a straight four-year mega contract without negotiating a settlement clause in case they were forced to sack him, after he led the club to winning the EPL title and Capital One Cup last season.
Although Abramovich will meet the £40m compensation package if necessary, it would be the second time he has forked out a small fortune to get rid of Mourinho.
In September 2007, the Russian billionaire paid Mourinho and his coaching staff £16m to leave, as well as send the coach a Ferrari to thank him for his work, a gift that paved the way for his second return to the Stamford Bridge.
The owner has been standing by Mourinho despite the champions’ dreadful run of results.
The board equally backed him when they last met but a 2-1 defeat at Leicester on Monday night has left the club one point above the relegation zone.
By Olisemeka Obeche