REVEALED: The Reason Behind Happy Jele’s Departure From Pirates

South African football industry and Orlando Pirates were shocked by exit news of Happy Jele on Monday as many were hoping to see the defender being kept following a 16-year service to the Sea Robbers.

Pirates confirmed that Happy Jele met with the Chairman of the Club Dr. Irvin Khoza at the end of the 2021/22 season to discuss his future. During these deliberations, which spanned a three-week period, the Club discussed various job options available to the long-term serving defender in a non-playing capacity.

According to Kick Off’s source, it appears Jele was facing a huge drop on his financial package if he were to take this non-playing role. Initially, he was taking home R3 million a year as a footballer but he would have to accept a decrease of almost half of his usual annual salary.

READ ALSO: Wayne Arendse Hasn’t Retired! Here He Explains Why He Hasn’t Found A Team

“What needs to be understood is that when you are asked to move away from a playing contract to a non-playing role it comes with a huge drop in your earnings and massive adjustments,” says a former player who had been in a similar position. If for instance, Happy was on a package of R3 million per annum there was no way he was going to continue on the same package on a non-playing role.

“Reality is that he would have probably come down to a figure of less than R800 000 per annum in a non-playing role because there will be no signing-on fee and all the other perks attached to a playing contract. It could be even less than R800 000 because he will get into the space of a normal worker earning under R50 000 a month.

“The role that he would have gotten would have meant he starts out either in the development or reserve league team and his earnings will have to measure up to the ranks in that league. What would have been considered a benefit for him after such long service is job security and being able to continue receiving a salary in a less pressured environment.

“Instead of finding himself stranded with maintaining cars and properties possibly being repossessed like what has happened with other ex-players. This is a difficult and sensitive period for any player because if Happy had taken the Pirates offer then he would have had to make serious adjustments in his private space.

“I think Happy is looking out for his personal interests because after playing so much last season he feels he can still go on playing for another two, or three years based on his lifestyle and how his body feels. Yes, he’s 35 but he is not injured so he can continue playing therefore his decision makes sense in all ways.

READ ALSO: PICS! Tshegofatso Mabasa Is So Addicted To BMW!

“In as much as we know that players have contracts with clubs, I think how they communicate with players should improve. It would have been maybe better that Pirates already told Happy at the beginning of last season that this will be his last season so that he prepares instead of expecting that he makes that decision in three weeks.

“Okay fine a car and at least two properties could be already paid off, but you are 35 with a wife, kids in good schools, extended family to look out for, building yet another property and some other interests as well and suddenly you must make adjustments.

“It is not easy. I sympathise with the decision taken by Happy. It is just unfortunate that players don’t speak out enough about these issues for fear of being judged but I hope fans understand this. They are seen driving nice cars and it is thought all is smooth for them. Happy obviously knows his playing years are dropping but at 35 he is not yet set for the rest of his life so still needs that good money. With the options that he has, I would have done the same.

“Many clubs will still take him on board for at least another two years. The nature of the football business is that Pirates looked out for their interests and Happy has a right to do the same because maybe he doesn’t even want to be in football after his playing days so staying at Pirates post-playing is not even in his plans,” adds another former player speaking alongside an agent.