Butler�s P100,000 salary a stumbling block
Mqondisi Dube | Thursday March 2, 2017 19:00
Butler’s three year contract is left with only 29 days, but BFA has failed to move forward on the issue due to divided opinion.
Close sources said the BFA president, Maclean Letshwiti is keen to extend the coach’s contract, worth nearly P100,000 per month, but others are of the view that Butler should be allowed to leave. There is a feeling that with Butler’s salary gobbling around P1.2million of the BFA grant, he is too expensive for the cash-strapped association.
“The president met the coach, and asked him if he wants to stay. However, nothing has been agreed at this stage and Butler is exploring his options,” the source said.
BFA public relations officer, Tumo Mpatane, in a previous interview, said the media would be informed once there are new developments on the coach’s situation.
“PJ (Butler) has a contract until March. He is still our coach until then. We believe if there is any change, then we will move to inform the press,” Mpatane said earlier. Butler was not available to comment on his future.
The coach has reportedly received offers elsewhere, notably in Burkina Faso and Sudan side, Al Hilal.
But the Briton is keen to stay on as Zebras coach, after leading the side to their first ever COSAFA Cup final last year, where they lost 3-2 to South Africa. However, the Zebras have failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, but Butler has been credited with giving young talent game time and creating a large pool to select from.
He also has a keen eye for young talent, but that has not been enough to convince authorities at Lekidi to straight away offer him a new deal.
Butler’s future seemingly now lies on the weight of Letshwiti’s voice versus his subordinates’ arguments. If Letshwiti does not succeed in convincing the rest to give Butler an extension, Botswana might have seen the last of the former West Ham United midfielder.
The Zebras have not been in action for nearly six months, since a low key Independence Day friendly match against Angola.