Peter Reid has the perfect incentive to keep Leeds in the Premiership as it has emerged he is being paid per point.
Performance-related contracts were hinted at by chairman Peter Ridsdale and plc deputy chairman Allan Leighton during the club's annual general meeting in late November.
Leeds' caretaker manager, though, is dependant on the players pulling their weight on the pitch for if they fail to perform then the 46-year-old, who took over on Friday from the sacked Terry Venables for the remainder of the season, will not be earning.
It is no wonder Reid was far from happy after his first match in charge on Sunday, with Leeds losing 3-1 at Liverpool and accusing the players of "feeling sorry for themselves".
Reid, who will pick up an estimated Stg£500,000 bonus for ensuring Leeds stay in the top flight, will be hoping for his first proper pay packet following the club's visit to Charlton on April 5th.
Points now are even more vital for both Reid and Leeds who moved to within four of the relegation zone following Bolton's 1-0 Reebok Stadium victory over Tottenham last night.
Ridsdale stated: "We hired Peter because first of all we believed it was right to make a change now because this football club was not performing on the field in the Premiership, where we need to be.
"Also, his track record is fantastic in terms of short-term impact when he joins a club, and we need points - and Peter is being paid on how many points he gets.
"Now that would appear to be highly motivational, and if we get the points then I don't believe anybody at Leeds will begrudge us paying him for them.
"And if we don't, then we don't have to pay him. I sincerely hope we're paying him a lot of money, but that will be down to success and nothing else."
There are no guarantees from Ridsdale that Reid will remain in charge beyond May 11th even if Leeds stay in the top flight as he added: "I said to him last week it's eight games. Full stop.
"We will then take a view in the summer of who is right, given where we are and which division we are in - which I sincerely hope and believe is the Premiership - and we will see what candidates are available.
"Surely that is the best, measured way of deciding the best manager for the future.
"If he wins his games then I'm sure he will be knocking on my door in the summer. But I've given no commitments, no promises.
PA