PAY-CUT LOOMS AS BLACK CATS GO ON SLIDE
WHETHER or not Sunderland beat the drop, midfielder Jack Rodwell is set to be hit in the pocket, with his wages slashed by 40 per cent.
The 27-year-old, who has made one league start all season, joined the Black Cats from Manchester City in 2014 for £10m on a contract worth £70,000 per week.
Despite Sunderland’s relegation from the Premier League last term, that salary did not drop.
However, the clause that does exist in Rodwell’s contract – which has a year left to run – stipulates his wages will be slashed if the club do not make an immediate return to the top flight.
Such a scenario does not exist for every player in the Sunderland squad.
Those that took pay-cuts following Sunderland’s drop into the Championship will not do so if they are relegated again this season.
Nor will anyone who has signed a fresh deal in the last 12 months.
Manager Chris Coleman explained: “Some of the boys signed those contracts in the Premier League. In fairness to the club and whoever was here, I don’t think anybody could have envisaged us being here, three or four years down the line.
“Hence why, in some of the contracts, there is nothing written in there because I don’t think anybody really saw that happening.
“Some of the guys who signed later on have stipulations for contract change.
“I have voiced my opinion on how some of the things have been done here, but some of the boys were here when they were finishing in mid-table in the Premier League. I don’t think you could have said in two years’ time Sunderland would be on the verge of going to League One.
“So, it is unfortunate the way it has happened. It is one of those things nobody really saw happening.”