Bournemouth have this evening confirmed that manager Eddie Howe has taken the generous decision to cut his wages for the time being, as the Cherries attempt to deal with the financial fallout caused by the COVID-19 crisis.
PL halted
All fixtures across the professional football calendar in England were postponed with immediate effect 3 weeks ago.
This followed similar decisions in the likes of Italy and Spain, as the coronavirus continues to wreak havoc on the sporting calendar.
The Premier League, FA, EFL and WSL have collectively agreed to postpone the professional game in England
Full statement: https://t.co/XcDyzBp4Ol pic.twitter.com/cmYjoY3LRR
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 13, 2020
Howe’s timely gesture
This delay, along with the potential cancellation of the final months of the season, meanwhile, could well have a detrimental effect on the finances of clubs throughout Europe.
Powerhouses such as Juventus and Barcelona have already announced major wage-cuts for their respective first-team squads, with the Bianconeri’s stars having gone as far as to forego pay packets for the next 4 months.
To this point, however, no Premier League club have confirmed the implementation of such measures.
Both Newcastle and Tottenham recently announced that non-playing staff had been placed on furlough, but, as things stand, players across the English top-flight remain unaffected.
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 05: Daniel Levy, Chairman of Tottenham Hotspurs looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton at White Hart Lane on October 5, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
As outlined above, though, the first high-profile Premier League figure to have taken a voluntary pay-cut has this evening been revealed.
The individual in question is Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe.
In an announcement across the club’s social media platforms, the Cherries confirmed that Howe, along with assistant manager Jason Tindall, chief executive Neill Blake and technical director Richard Hughes, have all taken ‘significant, voluntary’ reductions to their wages:
‘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.’
‘With this in mind, the club’s chief executive Neill Blake, first team technical director Richard Hughes, manager Eddie Howe and assistant manager Jason Tindall have all taken significant, voluntary pay cuts for the entirety of this uncertain time.’
‘We have also advised a number of staff across all areas of the club that they will be temporarily furloughed, as a result of the ongoing pandemic.’
‘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.’
The club can confirm chief executive Neill Blake, first team technical director Richard Hughes, manager Eddie Howe and assistant manager Jason Tindall have taken significant, voluntary pay cuts. #afcb 🍒https://t.co/IJ7A4h5nhp
— AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) April 1, 2020
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