Hearts manager Daniel Stendel deserves major credit for his decision to work for free as Rangers’ rivals toil amid the ongoing uncertainty caused by the global health crisis.
It’s not often that praise is given out in Scottish football. Particularly not to an employee of a rival club.
Daniel Stendel hasn’t done Rangers any favours this season, either.
Since he’s arrived at Hearts, wins have been few and far between, but that hasn’t stopped him triumphing twice over Steven Gerrard – once in the Premiership and once in a Scottish Cup quarter-final.
Those defeats went a long way to derailing Rangers’ domestic campaign, but haven’t been enough to spark a Jambos escape from the foot of the league table.
Their situation is currently a precarious one. Whether the season gets completed or not, the Edinburgh club are the prime candidates to go down, while they are already struggling with the financial implications of a lengthy period without football.
In a club statement released earlier in the week, CEO, Ann Budge, revealed she had asked all staff to take a 50% pay cut for an indefinite period [Heartsfc.co.uk]. Any individual who was uncomfortable with the proposed alterations to their contract could have their original deal torn up.
Yet, rather than downing tools, Stendel has made a remarkable personal sacrifice by offering to work for free whilst the upheaval continues.
“I told the owner that I would dispense with my whole salary for a while,” he said, as quoted by the Scottish Sun.
“We earn very good money compared with other employees who would suffer much more if your company suddenly reduce your salary by 50 per cent.”
“Me? I have a family too and I’m not a millionaire. But I want to be a good example. Hearts are a great club.”
Given all the financial hardships Rangers have been through over the last decade, most fans will take no pleasure in seeing another club struggle.
Stendel has received a lot of personal criticism since his arrival in the Scottish Premiership, but in this instance, it’s a case of giving credit where it’s most definitely due.
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