Can you explain why, and how you can be sure of the minimum amount? I think that might be helpful for the broader debate.

Contracted to end of 2010. No idea of his actual package, but it must surely be nearer six-figures than not per annum, if not already there? He'd be due compensation for the unexpired period of his contract. Salary and benefits for about 20-21 months must be easily into six figures?

If the contract provided for payment in lieu of notice (as opposed to just a period of notice) then there would probably be an employers' NIC liability on top.

Its a bit more complex than that obviously, and that's only from things I am qualified to comment on - and there is the duty to mitigate any loss - but that's where I am coming from.

It's 2009 isn't it. IIRC it was a three and a half year deal.

[url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/bradford-bulls/We39re-sorry-Bradford-tell-fans.5081936.jpHood told Sledger otherwise[/url

Well that's total madness giving a rookie head coach a four and half year contract I'm affraid we deserve all we get then. A Tri- nations winning coach only got an initial 2 year deal.

My guess is he got a revised contract somewhere along the way?

Well if that's the case then we really have reached the level of no ambition because IMO he's never justified a new one.

Thought he only had til end of 2009!

Jeez to get rid now would be £120K+ for Mac alone. If Basil , Lee the conditioner have contracts beyond 09 then you have more payouts to follow.

Paradoxically the cup exit could make mac's job safer!

If we sacked McNamara then sent a bucket round donating to the Board's wise move then we might get enough to pay him off. I'd put 100 quid in.

The dreaded "vote of confidence". He'll be gone by next week....

Cheers, that's very helpful. From what we know of such contracts are there not performance clauses, or other potential opt-outs. I'm presuming there is some form of performance review system that is in place. Frankly I'm also surprised to hear he is likely to be on £100k plus, I would have thought an untried coach who was promoted to that position would be on less. I'm also wondering whether appointing someone as Director of Rugby and effectively demoting him (without demoting him contractually), might precipitate his leaving. It doesn't seem impossible to imagine a scenario where we could get him to leave should that be the consensus. I realise a DoR would involve extra cost, but the trade-off between that and falling turnstile revenue must surely be worth consideration?

I'm not suggesting that we should fire the coach, but I dont think his payoff should be the determining factor. I dont think any coach should be fire proof just because it would cost £100k to get rid of them. The impact that the coach can have on the team is just too great for that to be an insurmountable barrier. Even if it meant in the short term sacrificing a couple of squad places eg not replacing Tupou.

As for the back up staff, again that just shouldnt be an issue. I cant see the Bulls recruiting a coach of such standing that he would expect or insist on a mass clear out. Any decent coach would be prepared to work initially with existing staff and, if necessary, replace them gradually.