The A-League’s two most successful coaches last season – Ange Postecoglou and Graham Arnold – were among the lowest paid in the competition.
Brisbane Roar double-winning mentor Postecoglou and Central coast Mariners’ championship runner-up Arnold accrued combined wages of $400,000 between them.
The best-paid coach was Melbourne Heart’s Dutch boss John van’t Schip, who earned in the region of $700,000 at the helm of the competition newcomer, which finished eighth on the ladder.
Also way above Arnold and Postecoglou on the pay league table was Sydney FC’s Vitezslav Lavicka, who landed a one-year contract extension on his $500,000 contract despite the 2009-2010 champion finishing ninth.
Ex-North Queensland Fury front-man Franz Straka ($400,000), two-time title winning former Melbourne Victory boss Ernie Merrick ($300,000) and Newcastle Jets’ Branko Culina – whose salary jumped to $300,000 following the take-over of the club by multi-millionaire mining magnate Nathan Tinkler – were all well remunerated for their services.
Adelaide’s Rini Coolen joined the club on modest contract worth just under $200,000. Although it is believed the Dutchman could earn up to $500,000 next season under a bonus-laden upgraded long-term deal.
It’s thought Gold Coast United’s colourful coach Miron Bleiberg, a man worth in excess of $8 million through his own business portfolio, earns around $300,000 in his unconventional handshake agreement with minerals heavyweight Clive Palmer, Australia's fifth richest man.
Ricki Herbert, who has guided Wellington Phoenix to successive finals campaigns, is understood to be on a $230,000 package.
The pauper of the league is Ian Ferguson, who for $150,000 took on the job of reviving Perth Glory from Dave Mitchell after nine games of last season.
On signing a new deal, Postecoglou received a post-season pay rise of close to $100,000 from FFA – interim owners of Roar – in recognition of his record-setting season.
Arnold, with the Mariners beset by financial woes, will be unlikely to get a salary hike unless significant new investment in the club is forthcoming.
Professional Footballers Association chief Brendan Schwab contends both Arnold and Postecoglou (on last season’s packages) are under-valued commodities.
“If the rates of pay being stated for both last season are accurate then they are certainly seriously underpaid,” he told The World Game.
“Both of them have added significant value to the competition as a whole in terms of the technical quality of their teams.
“Their roles are crucial to the league and they both give cachet to the competition.”
Schwab does not support any calls for a player-style salary cap for coaches.
“We don’t take the view at all that any coach in the A-league is overpaid.
“A cap on coaching would be harmful to the competition. Clubs simply have to make prudent financial decisions.”
Schwab would like the A-league reach a level where a coach of the stature of former Adelaide United boss Aurelio Vidmar did not feel compelled to quit the club to become an assistant to Holger Osieck with the Socceroos.
“Can you imagine Harry Redknapp quitting Tottenham to become the No.2 for the England national team. It could never happen,” Schwab said.
“It must be a goal of the A-League to evolve to a state where such a things wouldn't happen here either.”
Better hope the Central Coast Super Council doesn't eventuate