Stoke City and Southampton’s wage bills compared amid Mark Robins links | OneFootball

Mark Robins has been linked with the Southampton managerial vacancy.

Stoke City boss Mark Robins has emerged as a contender to take charge at Southampton following Will Still’s departure.

It has been reported by Graeme Bailey that the 55-year-old is among the contenders to take over at St. Mary’s.

The Potters have made a strong start to the new campaign, making Robins an attractive proposition for a club with promotion ambitions like Southampton.

However, the Saints have struggled for form this season, winning just two of their opening 13 league fixtures, which has prompted another change in the dugout.

Here we use estimated figures from Capology to compare the size of Southampton and Stoke City’s wage bills…

Southampton’s total wage bill that Stoke City boss Mark Robins could inherit

Southampton were left 21st in the Championship table by Still, with the 33-year-old losing his final three games in charge before being dismissed.

A 2-0 defeat to Preston North End proved to be the final straw for Sport Republic, who would’ve been hoping that the young coach could guide the club straight back to the Premier League.

The Saints’ wage bill certainly indicates that the team should be in the mix for a top two spot given they have the second-highest salary cost in the entire Championship.

The Hampshire outfit are paying their first team squad a total of £733,500 per week, which is only bettered by Leicester City’s £840,500-a-week.

The highest earner in Southampton’s squad is Joe Aribo, with the midfielder receiving £70,000 per week.

Adam Armstrong and Finn Azaz earn £60,000 and £50,000 per week, respectively, with the average salary in the squad amounting to roughly £26,000-a-week.

Southampton’s total wage bill is far ahead of the sides ranked even just fifth in the division, with Norwich City paying £438,500 per week to their squad.

Given the Saints are currently mired in a relegation battle, the owners will be hoping the next appointment, whoever they are, can guide the team back up the table into the mix for a top six finish.

Stoke City’s highest earners

Meanwhile, Robins’ Stoke side are punching above their weight this season by contending for an automatic promotion place.

It is still early days in the campaign, but the Potters have earned impressive results, and are looking like a side that could deliver the club's best Championship campaign since their 2018 relegation from the Premier League.

The club are ranked 12th in the Championship for their total squad salary cost, with a total of £343,500 per week.

The highest earner in Robins’ squad is currently defender Ben Gibson, who is paid £35,000 per week.

The next best paid players in the squad are Sam Gallagher and Steven Nzonzi, with the pair both receiving £25,000 per week, which is below the average salary at Southampton.

Despite the clear differences in wage spending, Stoke are enjoying a far more successful start to the campaign.

So it should come as no surprise that Southampton are considering a move for the 55-year-old, who also previously had Coventry fighting for a place in the Premier League before he made the move to the Potters last season.