Philippe Clement is the highest-paid manager in the EFL Championship in 2026-27 on £2.5 million per year.
The race for promotion makes the Championship a strange place financially: clubs spend big on managers, keep changing them, and still call it value if the gamble pays off.
Check out the latest Championship football betting markets at 888sport, with the highest earning managers featuring each matchweek - but will they make the difference in the race for promotion?
The highest paid managers in the EFL Championship reflect that pressure, with salary levels that make more sense once you remember what the prize at the end of the tunnel is.
Who is the highest-paid Championship manager?
Philippe Clement: £2.5 million per year
Philippe Clement was hired by Norwich to succeed Liam Manning in November 2025. Only five teams had a better record than the Canaries after Clement was hired.
The Belgian has won three league titles in his home country as a manager and led Rangers to the League Cup in 2023-24.
Nuno Espírito Santo: £2.25 million per year
Nuno Espírito Santo was cut from £4.5 million to £2.25 million following West Ham’s relegation.
César Peixoto: £1.2 million per year
Previously with Gil Vicente, César Peixoto was hired by Wolves following their relegation from the Premier League.
Nicky Hayen: £1 million per year
Scott Parker left Burnley in April after failing to keep the club in the Premier League. The Lancashire club turned to Nicky Hayen for their first season back in the Championship.
Kim Hellberg: £1 million per year
Hired by Middlesbrough after interest from Swansea, Kim Hellberg led the club to fifth, which was followed by a controversial playoff appearance.
Why Are Championship Managers Paid So Much?
The main reason for such high Championship manager salaries is that promotion to the Premier League is worth £150 million, even if the club suffers an immediate relegation.
Getting out of the Championship carries enormous stakes. Clubs are willing to invest heavily in their manager in the hope that they can take them to the promised land.
How Do They Compare To Premier League Managers?
Some of the highest-earning Championship managers will be making more than the lowest-earning Premier League managers. At the top end, though, there are Premier League managers up towards £10 million per year.
A look at Eddie Howe’s net worth gives an indication of the gap in manager salaries, and this trend continues when looking at League One salary or League Two salary.
Highest Paid Championship Manager FAQs:
Who is the highest-paid manager in the Championship?
Norwich manager Philippe Clement is the highest-paid Championship manager on £2.5 million per year.
Why are Championship managers paid so much?
Championship clubs spend big money in the pursuit of the Premier League. One season in the top flight can transform a club’s finances.
How Much Is Promotion to the Premier League Worth?
Premier League promotion, according to most estimates, is worth around £150 million. This can vary from club to club, but the TV revenue alone is worth tens of millions.
Championship outright odds at 888sport
Championship outright odds shift fast, and they usually say as much about expectations as they do about form.
The market is a useful snapshot for anyone following the promotion race, but it should be treated as a guide rather than a promise.
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