Asks the Mail and they have a point but the answer is - because that's what the contract specified.

When I took over as UK Manager of the Eurovision Song Contest I demanded (and was given) a massive bonus if we won but practically nothing (far less than junior BBC tea boys) as an annual salary.

So I swallowed the costs for 1995 and 1996. We didn't win (though I still feel Just A Little Bit was the best Eurovision entry ever).

Then we DID win in 1997 with Love Shine A Light and BBC bosses paid my huge bonus with the words "worth every penny".

And the BBC (and UK) made a fortune hosting the 1998 show - Birmingham especially coined it in.

My money was in the bank (still is).

That's the kind of incentive deal I believe in. Take someone on to win and that should dictate their reward.

Even though it took me three years, we got there. Not bad management (we haven't done so well in Eurovision recently - even McClaren did better than Nul Points over his tenure!).

I agree that "Just A Little Bit" should had won. After many years of drossy British entries, that was a breath of fresh air and just reading the title in your post now, the tune is going round my head!

As for McClaren, I'm not a football fan, but yesterday whilst travelling, I spoke to quite a few people all of whom felt ashamed of England's performance and nearly all demanding that McClaren be sacked, expressing total disgust at the pay off he will receive. As one worker spat out, "If I screwed up my job, I would get the sack instantly with no pay off so why should McClaren get a penny? It's a farce and a disgrace!" There was equal amount of criticism for the players with most fed up with the predictable player selections, Beckham particularly getting much flak and abuse.

It's interesting to see how strongly many feel over this whole affair. To me, football means nothing whatsoever - not ideal credentials for living in Liverpool!

Spot on JK, I couldn't have put it better myself.

The press conference with McLaren was like watching an MP squirm. He believes he is a better manager and said that he is available to help if the FA need help into what went wrong.

And your right about the Eurovision comparision, if we would of qualified, then if salary would be worth every penny, as it generates income.

He has been paid very well, failed, got a 2.5 million pay-out, then will get another job next year and has made a mint out of being a failure.

Well McClaren took on a job he was not experienced for.But he did give up a lucrative club job,and was asked to do it.His England salary,and pay off were by no means ridiculous by the standards of his profession.
The questions and faults are with those higher up,managers come and go,but the fools up top do a great job of both shifting the blame,and the guilt onto the unqualified people they invested with the nation's confidence..and cash!
Eurovision,well just be grateful the fools in the FA didn't organise it:lol:
Ever thought of being a football manager JK?

I like your points, JK, but sadly international football is not Eurovision. The song contest might be more important to me than football (just as well when you consider Derby's position in the Premiership!) but I'm a freak on that issue.

You're not going to procure the services of a suitable manager with a tea boys salary, or indeed the Prime Minister's salary, even with the promise of untold wealth if he wins the World Cup.