Stefanovic left to sit and wait
Dejan Stefanovic says his future at Carrow Road is under a cloud - even though he will take a big financial hit after relegation. The central defender is thought to be at the top end of the club's wage earners, but City's demise at the weekend has activated a clause in his contract which sees him literally paying the price for failure.
Dejan Stefanovic says his future at Carrow Road is under a cloud - even though he will take a big financial hit after relegation.
The central defender is thought to be at the top end of the club's wage earners, but City's demise at the weekend has activated a clause in his contract which sees him literally paying the price for failure.
However, the 34-year-old - midway through a two-year deal after Glenn Roeder signed him from Fulham - is still unsure of where it leaves him in the grand scheme of things as the club's hierarchy wrestle with the implications of dropping out of the Championship.
“I have already taken my wages cut because we have gone down, my salary is less already,” said the Serbian.
“I want to stay and if the club wants me we can discuss that. But even if I wanted to stay maybe the club will say, 'listen, Dejan, you still have big wages and we need you to go'. I think it is going to be a long summer.”
Stefanovic's concerns aren't helped by his age and his long absence from first team duties, after his season was ended way back in early November when he limped out of the home game with Preston having sustained serious knee ligament damage.
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City have been paying his wages ever since - his 12 appearances have cost tens of thousands of pounds each.
“From the club point of view it could be better if I go,” he admitted. “But I've been out injured for six months so it's going to be a tricky one - where do I go after six months out? I also need to live.”
City's demise is, says Stefanovic, due to a lack of consistency.
“It is very disappointing because as I said at the beginning of the season, this club needs to play in the Premier League,” he said.
“There is no consistency. From the top everyone needs to take responsibility at this club for this failure - from the coaching staff, the players, the board as well, everyone.”
