Eric Pieters Article about his departure

[NewClaret]

He played a gamble with the contract and it didn’t pay off. As has been highlighted, maybe he should be ringing his agent and asking why he wasn’t doing the job he pays him to do. Could the club be ‘nicer’ to players leaving? That’s open to debate - there’s a professionalism aspect to think of but then are the players being professional by leaving us hanging with the contract and wanting more money?

This is a fair point.

I imagine if Alan Pace were to have his say on these situations, he’d say: we offered, they refused, we made it clear that the offer stood but would not be increased, the player never got back to us.

Erin’s agent was probably reassuring him they were playing hardball, that he was looking after his best interests, and they never did. Then proclaiming disgust at finding out he was released on the retained list! Laughable, really.

Difference is that Pace isn’t doing interviews complaining about it.

Dyche was sacked & left with more grace than some of these guys who were offered contract extensions!!!

[warksclaret]

He is 34 lets not forget and we were becoming DADS ARMY. If I was Eric and so upset about the way it was handled I would be reading the riot act to my agent. Alternatively asking Rodriguez (aged 33) how his agent managed to get him a two year contractg

[CrosspoolClarets]

Agree Pieters’ agent has ballsed this one up. He has made a lot of dosh over the years, a good few Premier League seasons, played for Holland, and I bet at his age being a part of this Kompany revolution he would have loved it. Now he is feeling a bit “if only”. OK he may sign for West Brom but it isn’t the same. He could have played a good role for us in a back four when defending a lead later in the game. I think we all know we are going to need to solidify in that area, but there is a budget, simple as that.

[boatshed bill]

He turned down a contract offer, simple.

[JohnMac]

Let's just get this correct, there isn't a footballer out there at many levels that is offered a 'crap contract'.

I'm sure a lot of fans can't appreciate just how much these lot earn and coming down from the Premier League to the Championship might be a big blow for a player when his wages drop from £3 million to 'only £250,000'a year but come on....

[DAVETHEVICAR]

According to Nixon he is joining WBA

[agreenwood]

Disappointing to read this. It's common courtesy to tell someone that you won't be offering them a further contract and to thank them for their service.

That said, I think this story is symptomatic that the club don't really seem bothered about managing or accommodating the media. There seems to be a negative story about us every week. Quite often it's warranted, but on occasions you wonder if a decent media manager would be able to offer something up as an alternative.

This story is quite a good example because it's not really new. If Phil Bardsley wasn't told directly that he was being released, it follows that the other out of contract players probably weren't either. The fact that Alex James had to speak to a player who left the club over two months ago to fill the BFC news void with no game this weekend, suggests that the club are offering local journalists little or nothing in the way of stories to help them out. An exclusive interview with an existing player or one of the coaching staff probably means Alex James never goes looking for this story in the first place.

[Damo]

You’re missing my point. He knew the outcome but you would think the club would’ve be discussing his options with him after he turn down the contract, even if the final decision was that he was being let go.

Finding out that you’ve been let go on the internet is poor form by anyones standards

He didn't find out he had been let go on the Internet though.
That is what he is projecting, but that isn't what happened.
He would have known he wasn't being retained when he turned down a contract offer and Burnley didn't beg him to stay by increasing his potential earnings.
Had he changed his mind and decided to accept our offer, he would have been on the retained list.
He didn't, and that meant he was no longer an amployee of Burnley football club.
Either way, the decision to be retained by the club was down to him and his agent, and its not the clubs fault that we didn't offer him more money to remain contracted to us

[Papabendi]

Decent player, Pieters. Did a job.

But at this moment in time he has no contract with any club and seems upset Burnley offered him one.

[boatshed bill]

He didn't find out he had been let go on the Internet though.
That is what he is projecting, but that isn't what happened.
He would have known he wasn't being retained when he turned down a contract offer and Burnley didn't beg him to stay by increasing his potential earnings.
Had he changed his mind and decided to accept our offer, he would have been on the retained list.
He didn't, and that meant he was no longer an amployee of Burnley football club.
Either way, the decision to be retained by the club was down to him and his agent, and its not the clubs fault that we didn't offer him more money to remain contracted to us

Spot on

[Boss Hogg]

If his agent was worth his salt he would have let him know that the club were unlikely to come back with another offer. He ought to find a new one.

[bf2k]

Has this Alex James EVER reported anything positive about Burnley FC?

[Vegas Claret]

Has this Alex James EVER reported anything positive about Burnley FC?

95% of what he reports is positive

[ŽižkovClaret]

Footballers, especially coming to the end of their careers, are pure fannies

[claretonthecoast1882]

Disappointing to read this. It's common courtesy to tell someone that you won't be offering them a further contract and to thank them for their service.

That said, I think this story is symptomatic that the club don't really seem bothered about managing or accommodating the media. There seems to be a negative story about us every week. Quite often it's warranted, but on occasions you wonder if a decent media manager would be able to offer something up as an alternative.

This story is quite a good example because it's not really new. If Phil Bardsley wasn't told directly that he was being released, it follows that the other out of contract players probably weren't either. The fact that Alex James had to speak to a player who left the club over two months ago to fill the BFC news void with no game this weekend, suggests that the club are offering local journalists little or nothing in the way of stories to help them out. An exclusive interview with an existing player or one of the coaching staff probably means Alex James never goes looking for this story in the first place.

Bardsley wasn't told directly but his wife and agent were ?

Why didn't Pieters agent tell him that at 34 and a bit part player this might be as good a deal as we get offered rather than "I know you like it here and they have offered you the chance to stay but I can squeeze more money out of the club is you reject it"

[bodge]

I’m with daveisaclaret and greenwood here.

It appears that we as a club are not following the usual player release protocols. His agent should have got his arse in gear, without doubt but the club should officially advise them just before the retained list goes public that they are not on it and thanks for your service etc. It’s a phone call and it’s the right way of treating people.
The last thing we need is reputational damage in player/agent circles which will damage our future recruitment.
Like it or not as SD pointed out player welfare can be a difference maker.
I think most people would sympathise with the pampered footballer rhetoric but that’s the market we’re in, so we can’t cut off our nose to spite our face on issues such as this.

[boatshed bill]

Footballers, especially coming to the end of their careers, are pure fannies

Some are.

[SalisburyClaret]

Yes it is: contract offer refused, club not obligated to make other offer, end of road

So you think getting a text telling you to look online to see if you were retained is professional? Regardless of contracts, there's a correct way to deal with people.

[boatshed bill]

So you think getting a text telling you to look online to see if you were retained is professional? Regardless of contracts, there's a correct way to deal with people.

So if I turned down a contract offer you think I'd need it confirming?

[claretonthecoast1882]

So if I turned down a contract offer you think I'd need it confirming?

We have to remember these are grown men who need someone else to go to their place of work and sort out their wage for them while paying him for doing so

[Cleveleys_claret]

I liked Pieters as a player and how he came across as a person. This though is pathetic, he was offered a contract. Its agents that need to be looked at, it's not our Job to constantly pander to professional footballers, they are well paid and have agents to deal with their stuff, it's what they pay them for

[SalisburyClaret]

So if I turned down a contract offer you think I'd need it confirming?

If you've come to the end of your employment then you'd expect written confirmation

[Cleveleys_claret]

If you've come to the end of your employment then you'd expect written confirmation

I would imagine his agent will be in possession of this, just because we are a football club we still have to follow the rules of employment

[Tall Paul]

If you've come to the end of your employment then you'd expect written confirmation

His contract had a fixed date on which it expired, that's his written confirmation.

[LeadBelly]

We have to remember these are grown men who need someone else to go to their place of work and sort out their wage for them while paying him for doing so

Yes that's at the centre of this debate. This is how their complaints are not easy to understand/gain empathy with most of us who live in a world where we have to largely fend for ourselves.
They are so used to being cosseted (as valuable assets) many are perplexed when everything isn't laid on a plate. (I dont imply all are like this, clearly some keep their feet well on the ground despite the cosseting).

[Boss Hogg]

I liked Pieters as a player and how he came across as a person. This though is pathetic, he was offered a contract. Its agents that need to be looked at, it's not our Job to constantly pander to professional footballers, they are well paid and have agents to deal with their stuff, it's what they pay them for

Spot on. It’s nice to see the club have the controlling hand for once and not being held over a barrel by players or unscrupulous agents.

[milkcrate_mosh]

Sounds like a simple round of phone calls could have saved the club a fair bit of negative press. While I can sympathise with the argument the club was under no obligation to do so I'd be amazed if we act the same way next summer...

[Pickles]

Smallest violin in the world.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Sounds like a simple round of phone calls could have saved the club a fair bit of negative press. While I can sympathise with the argument the club was under no obligation to do so I'd be amazed if we act the same way next summer...

So the player and their agent need a phone call to confirm their contracts at an end at the pre-agreed date?

Not sure about that tbh

[helmclaret]

It’s amazing the amount of energy being spent on this total non story.

Get in the real world Erik.

Everyone else move on.

[milkcrate_mosh]

So the player and their agent need a phone call to confirm their contracts at an end at the pre-agreed date?

Not sure about that tbh

Well it sounds like multiple players not on the retained list were surprised it was published without someone giving them the heads up. All the players were still employed by the club at the time it was published and may still have had options in their contract which the club could take up if they wanted to. It certainly doesn't seem unreasonable for players to expect the club to tell them they should start looking for another club if there was no interest in re-signing them.

As I said I'm not too upset the club didn't chat to them first but I'm pretty sure they will do next year. I'm not aware of players at any other club having the same issue so it does suggested it's not the normal way of doing things.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Bardsley knew he was off, his wife certainly did

Pieters - rejected contract and you'd think the penny would drop when the club didn't make a second offer...

It would appear the players are dim or their agents are rubbish

[WestMidsClaret]

Another ex-player putting his name out there. Time for everyone to move on.

[Dyched]

Why would the club take him back to train???

A new manager comes in, wants to learn about not only the first team squad he has and wants to build on but those lads in the younger squads as well. Why would he invite a 35 year old who rejected a contract to remain at the club? Baffling.

[ClaretPete001]

We are getting the usual dichotomy of views here.

On the one side we have the pretty harsh viewpoints like the players knew, the wife knew, the dog got a letter from the postman, the gerbil woke up on a flaming pie with a vision that they were not going to get a new contract and told the player, they are all old and crap, they should have known because they are old and crap - who cares they are old and crap, they get paid loads what are they whining about etc.

And on the other side the viewpoint:

.. that 3 players have gone public commenting that they did not receive the usual courtesies when leaving a club.

And the fairly reasonable conclusion is that whatever the merits of either viewpoint it's not much effort and better PR for the club if someone took 5 minutes to wish them well on their way.

I've no doubt VK will want to do so anyway as he appears to have, like myself but admittedly somewhat rare qualities these days, both charm and reasonableness.

[beeholeclaret]

I would like to think that the club would deal with players in a professional and reasonable manner. They would have their original contract which would’ve no doubt include start/ finish dates. I would guess that players nearing the end of their contract might get a reminder letter remind them of the end date and a copy to the agent?

With Erik refusing to sign the revised offer he was basically signalling to the club that he didn’t wish to stay (on those terms at least). Meanwhile a new manager has come in and in conjunction with the chairman they have embarked on a new approach of signing younger, energetic and ambitious players. In the past we have waited right up to deadline day before desperately trying to get new players in. Players messing us around have to face the consequences when we have all our players in early and there is no need to throw money at 34 year olds. I liked Erik but disappointed he feels this way. Tough though.

[boatshed bill]

People seem to forget that this player (like any player in the last 6 months of their contract) is entitled to negotiate a contract away from their current club.
also i imagine that the club would have been making offers it saw fit to players long before the end of the season.
This is all nonsense which some are using as a stick with which to hit the new board.

[Cleveleys_claret]

He was that disgusted/ upset with how the club treated him yet still wanted to use the facilities and train with us

[Big Vinny K]

Maybe the new owners are from a less diplomatic sporting culture shall we say. A culture that is more ruthless in the way it deals with player incomings and outgoings. Many American sports deal in volume - they can a very large number of players on their books and the turnover of players is far far greater than in our football. They probably do not have the time or inclination to molly coddle players they want rid of them and throw them a leaving party, build them all their own statue, name a stand after them or whatever gesture these guys were expecting.

Maybe the likes of Bardsley, Stephens and even Pieters (who I liked as a player) rather than crow in the press about how they were let go should be a bit more grateful that they earned a shed load of money from Burnley at the back end of their careers for playing very little for the club.

[AmbleClaret]

I suppose it gives Kev Long's agent some time to get him sorted.

[ClaretPete001]

Wow I would worry for the physical well being of any power looms that dared to venture onto this forum.

Most modern companies have monthly employee surveys, sophisticated statistical analysis of responses and exit strategies never mind a 5 minute thank you for your service conversation.

I'd love to be a fly on the wall on some of the managerial conversation of those who post on here...

Now then Heckingbottom - thee time has come. Thee broken body is littering t'mill and thees not a ha'porth worth of work left in thee body. So, here it is thee leaving speech...

Tha's been paid - narr f**k off.....!

[Paul Waine]

Wow I would worry for the physical well being of any power looms that dared to venture onto this forum.

Most modern companies have monthly employee surveys, sophisticated statistical analysis of responses and exit strategies never mind a 5 minute thank you for your service conversation.

I'd love to be a fly on the wall on some of the managerial conversation of those who post on here...

Now then Heckingbottom - thee time has come. Thee broken body is littering t'mill and thees not a ha'porth worth of work left in thee body. So, here it is thee leaving speech...

Tha's been paid - narr f**k off.....!

Hi Pete, no one is talking of people working in t'mill or t'pit. Not even speaking of the youngsters who were employed to climb up the inside of t'chimney and brush out t'soot.

Some years ago, professional footballers fought and won their freedom to leave the club they had signed for and sign a new contract with another club. The only provision was that they had to see out the period of the contract they had signed with their existing club.

So, what are the protocols as a contract period comes towards the end? Some players say, no, I'm not signing a new contract with my existing club. I'm going to run my contract down and make more money signing with another club. It works to my advantage because the new club won't have the burden of buying out my existing contract with current club. Some players let it be known that they are happy where they are and are keen to sign a new contract. Often they will do this well before the end date of their current contract. Clubs, of course, also want to retain some players - and, yes, this may be because they want to retain them on their playing staff, or they want to maximise the transfer fee they receive if they are to sell. Similarly, clubs may not want to retain some players, or they are happy to let the player run their contract down and then see how things are at the end of the season. What league are the club in? a higher one? the same? a lower one? Clubs need to look at their budget and their other circumstances. Maybe the club has fired the coach/manager and is bringing in a new coach/manager. Maybe these changes haven't been completed when the season ends.

So, what happens when a player says "no thanks" to the offer of a new contract? Maybe the player is already well into his 30s. maybe the player has missed a number of games with injuries. Maybe the manager who had brought him into the club has been fired. Maybe a new manager is known to favour developing younger talent, and a different style.

All footballers know how old they are. They all know if they are starting most games. They all know if they are injured. Maybe they know that, as they age, they take a little longer to get fit again after another injury. They need to weigh these things up as they come towards the end of their contract. If their existing club offers a new contract they need to consider the consequences of turning it down. Maybe one or two of Burnley's players last season also need to take a look at who they chose to be their agent.

[Bullabill]

Mr.Pace is happy to play 'hail-fellow-well-met' with fans in Tesco's but can't give a smile and 'thanks for your service' to an ex-employee.

[JohnMcGreal]

There are plenty of things people can have a go at Pace for, but surely this isn't one of them.

Just because Barnfield has been used as some leisure facility for the semi-retired in the past doesn't mean it has to continue.

Pace is running the club as a business, warts and all. He's had to make far more ruthless calls then merely denying Erik Pieters a summer kick about while he looks for a new job.

[Jakubclaret]

His contract had a fixed date on which it expired, that's his written confirmation.

That is true but things aren’t so clear cut within that contract period scope will exist for alterations such as extensions & nearing the end especially after some form of negotiating had taken place you would expect the conclusion to be formalised differently than just cold silence.

[Paul Waine]

That is true but things aren’t so clear cut within that contract period scope will exist for alterations such as extensions & nearing the end especially after some form of negotiating had taken place you would expect the conclusion to be formalised differently than just cold silence.

According to Erik Pieters the club made an offer of a new contract and Pieters said "no thanks." That should be enough. If Pieters has latter changed his mind about saying "no thanks" don't you think it's up to him to initiate further discussion with the club?

[Jakubclaret]

According to Erik Pieters the club made an offer of a new contract and Pieters said "no thanks." That should be enough. If Pieters has latter changed his mind about saying "no thanks" don't you think it's up to him to initiate further discussion with the club?

No not really both parties should have made the effort to compromise & if that wasn’t possible which clearly was the case intentions either way should have signified the departure, I’m not completely blaming the club he’s just as bad, situations like this shouldn’t be allowed to develop & happen.

[fatboy47]

Perhaps Burnley Football Club has too much class to wash this particular piece of dirty linen in public?


If VK wanted Pieters on his playing staff I'm sure he'd still be here.

[Mattster]

If we're likening this to everyday employment then you wouldn't expect someone of Pace's level to be giving the "thanks for your service" call/letter/whatever.

I've worked on fixed term contracts at a University for years now, if I rejected the contract extensions I've been offered I certainly wouldn't be getting informally thanked by the Chancellor/Vice-Chancellor for my contribution. Anything like that would come from my manager (which in Burnley's case was a role that didn't really exist - you could make an argument for Mike Jackson). Whilst formal (often automated) messaging around the end of my employment would come from HR - which I imagine is exactly what happens at the club, but that sort of thing probably goes direct to the player's agents as that's what they pay them to deal with.

To me it seems these players, with no experience of ever being released in their careers, expect above and beyond.

[bfcmik]

No not really both parties should have made the effort to compromise & if that wasn’t possible which clearly was the case intentions either way should have signified the departure, I’m not completely blaming the club he’s just as bad, situations like this shouldn’t be allowed to develop & happen.

I have been offered new contracts when I was working. If I had just turned around and flat out stated I wouldn't sign it I am absolutely certain no other offer would follow and I would be out the door sharpish. However, when I would tell them I would be interested but there were a few details that needed further discussion then we would, generally, sit down and discuss things.

How you reject things is important