TorquayFans.com | Torquay United Fans Forum

Is there no way that we can insert a clause when negotiating with a potential manager that if we find ourselves in the bottom two then the club have the authority to terminate the contract for 'x' amount, rather than paying off the full deal. Surely there is a way that a small club like TUFC can protect themselves from this sort of situation - the situation about still paying Ling/Taylor, and now considering about paying Knill off too? It seems daft dishing out these rolling contracts - does anyone actually know what sort of deal Knill's on? Is it a 12 month rolling deal like Ling or is it a two-year contract as someone mentioned here?

It seems daft that we're in this sort of position so soon, in my opinion.

Maybe the board didn't expect us to be this bad so early

Yes but you have to plan for the worse situation. The board were stupid to give 2 year deals given our financial situation.

On the face of it a 2 year contract looks farcical given the circumstances but it was probably an extension of gratitude for helping us retain our league status and doing so without taking a wage. Ironically any pay off that occurs through sacking him could well act as the money he didn't earn at the back end of last season.

Neither the board nor the manager could have foreseen the horrendous financial constraints or huge budget slashing that came into effect over the summer, which completely handicapped AK's visions and sapped his resources. That said, he has still been backed as kindly as possible and the squad he has assembled should not be in the bottom two after a third of the season. AK is clearly not completely to blame for this malaise, though his selection policies and decision making certainly need justifying and explaining to me, however the big contract he is sitting on does not make the situation any easier for all parties concerned either.

Nick wrote:Is there no way that we can insert a clause when negotiating with a potential manager that if we find ourselves in the bottom two then the club have the authority to terminate the contract for 'x' amount, rather than paying off the full deal. Surely there is a way that a small club like TUFC can protect themselves from this sort of situation - the situation about still paying Ling/Taylor, and now considering about paying Knill off too? It seems daft dishing out these rolling contracts - does anyone actually know what sort of deal Knill's on? Is it a 12 month rolling deal like Ling or is it a two-year contract as someone mentioned here?

It seems daft that we're in this sort of position so soon, in my opinion.

Just to clarify, the club can have any contract they want they just have to get the manager to agree with it. The club are not still paying Ling/Taylor thats all sorted and Knill is on a similar contract as Ling......one year rolling contract which as I've said before is common place enabling both parties to get out if need be or roll on should things be going well, the idea being protection for all but unfortunate when it goes against the club but also beneficial to the club when things are going well............cant have it both ways and should never of sacked Ling but thats life.........