‘Brilliant’ – Exclusive: Phillips heaps praise on West Brom senior man for decision
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Kevin Phillips has heaped praise on West Brom chief executive Mark Jenkins for his decision to take a 100 per cent pay cut for the foreseeable future.
Last week, Jenkins announced in a statement that “for the duration of the lockdown” he will not be paid any money to ensure Albion can go as long as possible without having to furlough non-playing staff.
Some Premier League clubs have already furloughed staff members in a bid to cut spending while there is no football on due to the coronavirus pandemic. However they have been met with widespread criticism and the Baggies remain intent on not falling into that category.
Jenkins does admit that the club has considered furloughing some staff members but Phillips is still impressed by the lengths the West Brom chief has gone to so that does not happen any time soon.
“I’ve come across Mark a few times and he’s a genuine, nice guy. He’s a proper football man who knows his stuff,” Phillip told West Brom News.
“With peoples’ perception of footballers, they’re easy targets because of the money they earn but it kind of goes unnoticed that these guys in the background are taking pay cuts.
“If that means that non-playing staff keep their job or even keep it for two or three months then he can hold his head high and say he did everything he could to take a full 100 per cent pay cut. That’s a huge gesture.
“What that does is put a bit more pressure on players now to do the right thing in the next week or so when these decisions are made.
“But yeah, well done to Mark. Brilliant.”
Phillips isn’t the only one who has hailed Jenkins for his decision because the West Brom chief executive’s decision has been roundly praised by fans too.
Jenkins has not always been the most popular of figures at The Hawthorns but there is no denying that this gesture is massive and one that fans will not forget in a hurry.
We don’t want to see Albion furloughing non-playing staff, especially while the playing squad is still earning all of their weekly wages despite not having to play.
However we accept that if the pause in football goes on for much longer then it could be something that’s unavoidable.
In other West Brom news, Albion’s turnover plunged by £54million after relegation.