I'm sure we've talked about this on here before and I'm pretty sure it's that, whatever terminology you wish to call it. A manager permanently having a full year left on his deal would be a strange arrangement, and for the Allams to be behind it would be really bizarre.
I would see it as totally sensible and not strange at all.
Gives the manager some security. Gives some stability. And leaves the club with a liability that is never more than a year (compared to say the balance of a 3 year deal).
It is what I understand his deal to be.