Then there’s the fees paid to other clubs for their managers in replacement. Not sure how many times that’s happened but it’s reportedly cost close to £22m to get Potter out of Brighton. So the cost to change their manager in this instance alone is knocking on the door of £40m. Quite ridiculous and stinks of a complete lack of composure and planning.
Mourinho has reportedly earned £100m in compensation over his career alone. As Simon Jordan rightly explains, there aren’t many industries where you’ll get paid as a direct result of failure. Football is really one on its own.
On the other side of all this, Brighton appear to be a brilliantly run football club. I personally really admire how they operate. They are incredibly efficient, smart and most of all forward-thinking in how they do things. They seem to be 3 steps ahead at all times. I dare say they absolutely predicted Potter would be approached this season and were fully prepared for that in making sure they were handsomely compensated and potential replacements already selected. Doesn’t appear to be any great panic about the situation. Very controlled organisation which puts some of the larger clubs to shame with their antics the past few years.
To think Brighton have now fetched in £135m within 12 months for 2 players and their manager. Total outlay to bring them in was closer to £15m. Remarkable. I watch with interest to see what their next step is.