Tottenham will have to pay much LESS than £30million in compensation if they sack Jose Mourinho

Tottenham can expect to pay less than £30million in compensation to Jose Mourinho if they part with the Portuguese due to performance clauses linked to European qualification.

The Spurs boss is under increased pressure following Sunday's disappointing 2-2 draw at relegation-threatened Newcastle as he aims to rescue a season that at one stage looked full of promise.

But his future is now uncertain following a difficult run that has seen them slide down the league table and exit both the FA Cup and Champions League.

It has been widely purported that the Special One would be entitled to at least £30million in a payout if he loses his job; he still has two years to run on a deal that is worth up to £15million a year.

However, sources claim Mourinho would be contractually entitled to significantly less if Spurs fall out of European qualification contention through their league position.

As it stands the north London club are inside the top six and still have a realistic chance of qualifying for the Champions League or Europa League - but falling further down the table will impact on the level of compensation Mourinho is due.

Whether Tottenham qualify for top-level European football next season will have a bearing on whether chairman Daniel Levy decides to stick with Mourinho, while it is also set to be a factor in any compensation package he is due.

Spurs face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at the end of the month, where victory would gain entry into the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League - but that would not be viewed as top-level European competition.

Likewise, while Mourinho's contract could be worth up to £15million a year, Sportsmail understands his basic pay is closer to £10million a season which would significantly lower any compensation payout in the event of Mourinho losing his job.

Nevertheless, the Special One can still expect a huge sum if he loses his job, though it is likely not be under the £30million mark.

Levy wants to give Mourinho every opportunity to make a success of Tottenham's season, particularly given the costs linked to dismissing the manager and the fact he could still win the club's first trophy since the 2008 League Cup final.

Mourinho was not able to strengthen his squad the way he'd have liked to last summer due to the financial impact caused by the Covid crisis, particularly in defensive areas.

But while there is likely to be some sympathy for Mourinho, the Portuguese boss knows he is under pressure to deliver European football next season.