Gareth Southgate has said that equal pay in men’s and women’s football “is important” but pointed out the economic complexities around the topic ahead of England’s European Championship qualifier against Malta.
It comes after the U.S. Women’s national team announced that new head coach, Emma Hayes, would be highest-paid coach in women’s football.
In 2022, the federation committed to equal pay for both its men’s and women’s senior national team players through collective bargaining agreements. As part of this, Hayes’ salary will be aligned with that of USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter. Berhalter’s annual pay, as indicated in the USSF’s 2022 financial filings, stood at $1.6 million (£1.3mn), and it is anticipated that he received a salary increase after finalising a new contract earlier this year.
Southgate has previously expressed his support of equal pay between men and women in football. He has, however, acknowledged the factors that play a role in determining fair compensation.
He said: “Equal pay or same roles is important. There’s lots of economics behind that. For example if you’re a CEO of a company and you’re male and a female it should be exactly the same. In football the criteria depends on what the income is of the team. A League One manager…
