St Pauli have told their fans Fabian Huerzeler’s departure to Albion helped put them back in the black.

But the Argus understands indications as to what the Seagulls paid for his services are over-stated.

The German club’s annual report appears to indicate the Seagulls paid them about 6.5 million Euros for the head coach when they reached agreement in the close season.

That would be about £5.4 million, or less than a third of what Chelsea paid the Seagulls to take Graham Potter to Stamford Bridge two years ago.

However, The Argus understands the sum is less than that, close to £4 million including bonuses.

That is currently looking a shrewd investment, albeit at a relatively early stage of his debut season.

The fee paid for Huerzeler makes up the bulk of the transfer income received by St Pauli, although they also saw teenage German right-back Eric da Silva Moreira head to Nottingham Forest for £1.4 million.

Huerzeler’s exit helped St Pauli turn a loss of about £4 million the previous season into a six-figure profit last term.

Increased income from TV, merchandise and ticket sales also played their part as the club won the second tier title.

It is not specified what sort of bonuses could be payable by Albion to St Pauli.

European qualification would appear an obvious one.

But there is clearly great interest in the fact he has guided his new club to sixth place so far.

The numbers highlight the relatively small amounts club pay to bring in managers or head coaches compared to players.

Football finance lecturer Kieran Maguire told The Argus: "Each position in the Premier League is worth £3.4 million in prize money, and another European qualification is feasible although no one at the club will be getting lofty about it.”

St Pauli may be keen to ease fans' disappointment at seeing the head coach depart.

They are currently 16th in the 18-team Bundesliga after Huerzeler guided them back to the top tier last season.

They have eight points from their first ten games, including wins away to Freiburg and Hoffenheim.

However there has been precious little to cheer at home.

While Huerzeler remains unbeaten at the Amex in the Prem, St Pauli have neither won nor scored a goal in five games on their own pitch at the Millerntor.