Former Boss Ordered To Repay ‘Survival Bonus’

West Bromwich Albion head coach Tony Pulis has been ordered to repay Crystal Palace over £3.5 million, by an independent tribunal.

According to this report in the Guardian, Pulis earned around £2 million in bonuses after leading his former club out of the relegation zone and securing their Premier League survival, during the 2013-14 season.

Palace’s original plan was to provide the Welshman with the cash before the end of August 2014, but Pulis demanded payment early.

When the 58-year-old walked out on the club just weeks later, on the eve of the new Premier League campaign, the Eagles were left with no choice but to take legal action against their former manager.

In conjunction with FA rules – in an effort to keep the case out of court – Palace took Pulis to an independent mediation tribunal, and terms were thrashed out between the two sides.

It’s believed that the Baggies’ boss was given multiple chances to settle, but he instead chose to fight to the bitter end for all of his bonus entitlements.

It has been reported today that he made the wrong choice, as he has been ordered to pay Crystal Palace a fee in the region of £3.5 million, due to the way he suddenly walked out on the club at such a critical time – something Pulis puts down to a disagreement over transfer funding.

The sum includes the £2 million ‘survival bonus’, the legal fees of both sides and apparently £1 million of damages.

Due to the nature of the tribunal, neither side is permitted to comment on the case.