We (or most of us) know what gardening leave means. Where is your source that he is on gardening leave (not saying he isn't, but just haven't seen anything suggesting that he is).
Brighton place Paul Winstanley on gardening leave as Chelsea talks continue
Brighton & Hove Albion’s head of recruitment Paul Winstanley has been placed on gardening leave as talks continue over a move to Chelsea. Brighton took the step after Winstanley formally resigned from his role. He’s taking no part in the club’s planning for the January transfer...
theathletic.com