Comment: Nothing to fear over Carvalhal's Sheffield Wednesday contract

Just about everybody's future tied up '“ apart from that of the head coach.
Carlos CarvalhalCarlos Carvalhal
Carlos Carvalhal

That could be one interpretation of what has been an exceptionally positive, reaffirming transfer window for Sheffield Wednesday.

Some might find it strange that the one person who perhaps deserves rewarding more than any other is the one who has not joined the list of key personnel either secured to deals or whose loans have been converted to full transfers during a month of strong entrenchment.

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And doubtless there are those who will fret over Carlos Carvalhal’s refusal to discuss his terms of employment. But that doesn’t mean it won’t have been talked about behind the scenes or that there is any cause for concern.

Owner Dejphon Chansiri pointedly, and unusually, refused to release details of Carvalhal’s contractual situation when he made the appointment.

But you have to conclude that Chansiri has placed such great emphasis on keeping the Owls squad intact that he won’t be taking a risk on losing a man who has infused it with spirit and togetherness.

Besides, manager contracts are a smokescreen. All that matters are the severance terms, normally either six or twelve months.

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The best example was when Wednesday sacked Paul Sturrock within weeks of awarding him a four-year-contract. What many fans didn’t realise was that the compensation clause remained unchanged.

So length of contract can be a total irrelevance. I’m sure that’s the way both Chansiri and Carvalhal will see it; not that there won’t be built-in rewards for progress.

Don’t forget also that Carlos is used to a jobbing culture after moving between 14 jobs abroad where that is, to quote him, “normal.”

No wonder he is simply enjoying the moment with the Owls and fearless of what the future might hold.

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It was interesting in the midweek match programme to see him actually raise the subject of “pressure” when, right now, there is none of the ominous sort on him.

Of course, he knows that could change in an instant, which goes a long way to explain his philosophy.

He said: “Do I feel pressure? No, because this is my role, to be the one to lead the squad and this is something I have done in similar environments many times. I will make hard decisions, this is not a problem to me, this is my responsibility.”

And relax. . .