Dundee United clarify Jackie McMamara bonus payments for player sales

Dundee United have admitted Jackie McNamara does earn bonuses from player sales.

But the Scottish Premiership club say the manager has made nothing like the £500,000 quoted by a Scottish newspaper and supporters' groups.

McNamara has given the club permission to go pubic with details of his "performance-based contract" after fans questioned the state of the club's finances in the wake of a string of high-profile departures.

A statement from Dundee United read: "The manager has now specifically waived his right to confidentiality and requested that we clarify publicly that certain bonuses are payable in respect of player transfers, but that he plays no part in any transfer negotiations. This remains the responsibility of the Chairman and the Board.

"All bonuses are capped and properly monitored. It is important to note that the manager has not received bonuses anywhere near the highly misleading figure of £500,000 stated publicly this week.

“It is also worth noting that since January 2013, the Club's overall debt has been reduced from £5.6m to £2.65m to date, and is projected to be further reduced to some £1.4m later this year on the receipt of the next scheduled receipt of transfer income."

All bonuses are capped and properly monitored. It is important to note that the manager has not received bonuses anywhere near the highly misleading figure of £500,000 stated publicly this week.

January's sales of Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong to Celtic - six weeks before the sides were due to meet in the League Cup final - were the catalyst for the recent supporter unrest.

But the board's statement defended its contract with McNamara, arguing the incentive to produce marketable players works in the club's favour.

The statement read: "The manager's basic remuneration package was reduced considerably, replaced instead by a performance-based contract, with several bonus initiatives, which included developing young players into actual transfer targets.

"This way the club drove down management costs and engaged a forward-looking management team whose income would only increase by achieving results. This practice is well established throughout the UK, particularly in England where transfer markets are a substantial incentive.

"The club has consistently positioned itself as a club that will sell players if that sale is to the benefit of the club, and we believe the club remains the best platform in Scotland for the development of young talent, to the mutual benefit of the club and players alike."