McCrory reacts to report Di Canio set to sue club (From Swindon Advertiser)
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SWINDON TOWN: McCrory reacts to report Di Canio set to sue club
12:24am Friday 1st March 2013 in Sport Exclusive By Sam Morshead
Swindon Town chairman Jed McCrory
SWINDON Town chairman Jed McCrory has said he would be “disappointed” if a report former manager Paolo Di Canio is considering suing the club for breach of contract is true.
A story on The Sun's website tonight claims Di Canio is taking legal action against Town over the sale of Matt Ritchie to Bournemouth.
McCrory was not running the club at the time of the incident – Ritchie was sold on January 30 – and speaking exclusively to the Advertiser he stressed that he hoped no such circumstances would be forthcoming.
“These are incidents that were not in my control at the time. I would be disappointed if he did sue the club, for a man as passionate about football as Paolo,” he said.
“I would be disappointed if that is the truth. Knowing the paper stories that have come out previously I would be disappointed if that is true.
“I don’t know if it is true, I haven’t seen anything yet. As a football fan I’ll be disappointed if it’s true and I just want to work with people who want to take Swindon Town forwards and focus the club going forward.”
Di Canio, who announced his resignation from Town last week via a statement released to the Adver, has previously gone on record to state that Ritchie was sold to Swindon’s League One promotion rivals without his consent.
In a previous press release, issued on February 1, the Italian stressed that the winger had been offloaded behind his back.
He said: “When Phil (Spencer, Di Canio’s agent) met with (the incoming board) he was assured that Matt Ritchie would not be sold despite there being an offer from Bournemouth to acquire him. He was told “there is no way that we would sell one of our best players to one of our main competitors”.
“Consequently, we were assured that Matt Ritchie was going nowhere and money would be made available for the squad to be strengthened. Within an hour I received a phone call from Matt Ritchie telling me that the club had agreed to sell him and he was in the process of agreeing personal terms.
“I regard this as a clear breach of my contract with the Club and moreover, a clear attempt to undermine my position notwithstanding the success we have achieved in the last 18 months. Matt Ritchie was sold behind my back.”
The club’s former majority shareholder, Andrew Black, has since accepted that he sanctioned the transfer in the best interests of the club.
In a Twitter post on February 3, he wrote: “I did sanction the sale of Ritchie. I blocked it the first time it came up but agreed to it later believing it had to happen.”
Chief executive Nick Watkins had previously mentioned that the money generated by the sale of Ritchie, believed to be around £400,000 after the deduction of agent fees and the sell-on fee due to Portsmouth, was necessary to see Swindon through a state of flux between owners.
He said: “(If Ritchie had not been sold) then I think the dogs of administration would be straining at the leash right now.
“The club would always try to play it down because we always believed our salvation was in our own hands and we could avoid the financial cliff that we were faced with.”
Comments(111)
super reds
says...
12:56am Fri 1 Mar 13
super reds
says...
1:01am Fri 1 Mar 13
super reds wrote:Or have I completely misunderstood!!!!
Will he get anything from it because how I understand it from recent articles is that he renegotiated a new temporary contract, signed by legal people, that he would stay until 18th of February 5pm unless the takeover was completed before then, so that tells me he was out of contract anyway on the 18th, surely any previous contract is null & void...
joey butler
says...
1:40am Fri 1 Mar 13
He is also hacked off because he has been replaced so quickly.
stfcpaul
says...
2:25am Fri 1 Mar 13
Di Canio might be many things, but he knows how much the fans loved him and he wouldn't do that to us, never!
Hopefully lol
CraigClark
says...
5:17am Fri 1 Mar 13
Chish and Fips
says...
5:53am Fri 1 Mar 13
Whether this is PDC's, or his advisors intention I don't know, but have my suspicions it's the latter, probably on some form of percentage of compo .
NewburyRobin
says...
6:09am Fri 1 Mar 13
He came to Swindon to raise his profile & we all knew that he would not be here for the duration, don't use the Matt Richie sale to try & line your own pockets Paolo.
You demanded loyalty & you got that in shed loads from the fans & the players that stayed. You dropped us all in our hour of need so please show us some respect & do what I heard on the Sky interview, which went along the lines of - my Swindon chapter is closed.
grove red
says...
6:20am Fri 1 Mar 13
Jets there'd
says...
6:24am Fri 1 Mar 13
If there is truth in it then Paolo Di Canio probably won't get another job in British football. Lets hope it is untrue.
He appears very bitter.
Let's all draw a line under this "chapter" & get behind the new manager & the team.
London Red
says...
6:26am Fri 1 Mar 13
.
Surely saving a club and therefore lots of jobs is more important than "gaining the managers position"
.
Will lose all respect for PdC if he sues us and even more for the courts if they ruled in his favour
ya mums got facial hair
says...
6:32am Fri 1 Mar 13
Legend.
He told everyone his intension before the Crawley game, is this really news?
No surprise
louiscassius
says...
6:38am Fri 1 Mar 13
Nightmare.
He told no-one his intension before the Preston game, it is news to me
Big surprise
ya mums got facial hair
says...
6:42am Fri 1 Mar 13
London Red wrote:PDc won't care what you/I or anyone else thinks.
This case is totally different to Curbishley - surely any court will see it was needed to stop administration not just make money
.
Surely saving a club and therefore lots of jobs is more important than "gaining the managers position"
.
Will lose all respect for PdC if he sues us and even more for the courts if they ruled in his favour
Can't see him winning a case as he walked and didn't get sacked.
ciclosporindorset
says...
6:45am Fri 1 Mar 13
stfclondon
says...
6:47am Fri 1 Mar 13
stfcpaul wrote:Well he sued Lazio, the club he has supported all his life and whose fans idolise him...
Not a chance!
Di Canio might be many things, but he knows how much the fans loved him and he wouldn't do that to us, never!
Hopefully lol
jayden
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6:57am Fri 1 Mar 13
ciclosporindorset
says...
7:09am Fri 1 Mar 13
Redhouse Red
says...
7:15am Fri 1 Mar 13
35 year fan
says...
7:23am Fri 1 Mar 13
those associated with the club who made statements or leaked things to the press which made him look so bad are to blame for provoking him into this IMO. if they had let him leave with his head held high this wouldnt be happening.
batch
says...
7:29am Fri 1 Mar 13
His watch, his mess up.
If this is at all true I'm disappointed in PDC if he chooses to sue the club. He is a man annoyed, and maybe justifiably so. Who is he trying to hurt here, the man/men who forced him out, or the club and ultimately the fans.
What a mess.
Brainy_G93
says...
7:30am Fri 1 Mar 13
Oldhamred
says...
7:30am Fri 1 Mar 13
Why is the above quote from Paolos interview is Sky sports news making me feel uneasy?
Why did he say his chapter was finished then add "In terms of being manager"?
If he does follow this path then surely this will be the final nail in the coffin for his managerial career.
I assume that if he brought a case to court and won, we would have to pay up his contract. It wouldn't destroy the club but it could set us back a season.
I wonder what, if any A Blacks liabilities are?
Afterall, the broken promise was whilst he was owner.
I just knew that 1 whole day of good news had a price.
HOOKEY
says...
7:35am Fri 1 Mar 13
NewburyRobin
says...
7:36am Fri 1 Mar 13
35 year fan wrote:He should have stayed until the end of the season & then he would definitely been able to leave with his head held high. Things happen in life get on with it, call me old fashioned but I hate all this sueing culture.
the argument is he was forced out. technical expression is constructive dismissal. he will be after comp for the rest of his contract.
those associated with the club who made statements or leaked things to the press which made him look so bad are to blame for provoking him into this IMO. if they had let him leave with his head held high this wouldnt be happening.
old town robin
says...
7:37am Fri 1 Mar 13
If he does trys sueing, he could be on shakey ground, because he was aware Ritchie would be sold if an alternative means of funding was not found and Black sending a fax to every club in the league the day before stating the whole team was for sale would have been a good time for him to raise his objections.
Where do we stand should anothe club be stupid enough to offer this little toady a managers position within the next 18 months, surely we would be able to sue him or demand compo from his new club. I think he knows this and is just creating a counter claim.
When he tried to sue Lazio, i believe he lost his case, so bring it on and lets see how strong his case is.
Since 1950
says...
7:41am Fri 1 Mar 13
Personally, I hope he doesn't go through with it. He has become bitter over the whole thing it would appear.
I can understand how he feels, but he is in danger of shooting himself in both feet if he does go ahead with court action.
Anyway, who would he sue? Black, or the Club? Look how quickly McCrory has come out to say 'nothing to do with me'. Another reason why it will always be my belief that the new board wanted him out before they took over.
Rebel_phish
says...
7:42am Fri 1 Mar 13
Now you want to sue the ar5e off that same club 'cos you didn't like the way the short-term financial problem was resolved, for the good of the club.
Any successfull claim/award could/would seriously undermine the clubs finances, and have a detrimental effect on the clubs mere survival.
I didn't think that money was the motivator for Paolo. I see that I was wrong.
Hero to zero is also the term I would use.
Nikki Nythe
says...
7:42am Fri 1 Mar 13
LydiardRED67
says...
7:48am Fri 1 Mar 13
It depends what the clause in his contract states, does it say he is to be advised prior to any sales, or sanction the sale. I cant believe it is the latter and if the former then the club will say they advised him and it is one word against aanother.
Also, PDC states he met with the new board who stated they would not sell Ritchie. Which is a true statement. They would not have as they never had the choice as they were not in control when he was sold.
This will just cost us legal fees in my opinion.
Like others have said, we now know why the carefully worded statements appeared.
Strong sense of honour, my ar&e....
Nikki Nythe
says...
7:48am Fri 1 Mar 13
Highworth red
says...
7:51am Fri 1 Mar 13
clunge_meister
says...
7:54am Fri 1 Mar 13
It looks like a guess based on the breach of contract statement rather than any new info.
Last step
says...
7:56am Fri 1 Mar 13
35 year fan wrote:Correct.
the argument is he was forced out. technical expression is constructive dismissal. he will be after comp for the rest of his contract.
those associated with the club who made statements or leaked things to the press which made him look so bad are to blame for provoking him into this IMO. if they had let him leave with his head held high this wouldnt be happening.
Last step
says...
7:59am Fri 1 Mar 13
batch wrote:Would be disappointed if 'Swindon Town' was the subject of any legal action. Di Canio should be going after Black, Patey et all, the board and desicion makers at the time.
Lets hope Black was made to put money in Escrow as part of the sale to cover unexpected liabilities arising from his ownership.
His watch, his mess up.
If this is at all true I'm disappointed in PDC if he chooses to sue the club. He is a man annoyed, and maybe justifiably so. Who is he trying to hurt here, the man/men who forced him out, or the club and ultimately the fans.
What a mess.
People have been saying all along that it looks like a case of constructive dismissal. Would have cost them too much to sack him.
The car crash continues.
Pottered
says...
8:01am Fri 1 Mar 13
mancrobin
says...
8:10am Fri 1 Mar 13
No chance, try Ruddock.
themoonraker
says...
8:14am Fri 1 Mar 13
peatmoor pirate
says...
8:14am Fri 1 Mar 13
Personally beginning to wish we'd never employed him; more trouble than he was worth.
davel4848
says...
8:15am Fri 1 Mar 13
If you were to go through with this you will be despised by the very fans that followed you and gave you almost godlike status.
Let's hope it's just paper talk and nothing else but if it happens you will not be able to go anywhere with your head held high.
Haven't you and your agent made enough money from our club ?
Just go away quietly please before you make yourself look even more stupid than you have done already. No-one here has any interest in you anymore. You're history.
themoonraker
says...
8:21am Fri 1 Mar 13
mancrobin wrote:''the man is a legend, build a statue of him''......personall
And people compare this man to Macari, Ardilles and Hoddle?
No chance, try Ruddock.
y I think a set of gallows would be more fitting.The last month seems to point out that all PDC was ever interested in was PDC.
He succeeded in fooling most of us for a while, but now he can never be remembered as more than an ex-manager who loved himself more than the club.
billbst
says...
8:23am Fri 1 Mar 13
Med Red
says...
8:28am Fri 1 Mar 13
I'm looking forward to today's press conference introducing the new manager and his team. Lets hope he can emulate the success Paolo had.
bradley red 1
says...
8:31am Fri 1 Mar 13
ShearerShearer
says...
8:34am Fri 1 Mar 13
billbst wrote:Words like "untenable" and "notwithstanding" are the poison of agent leeches who are the parasites of football.
I do not by nature believe anything the Sun prints. However it is very true that his recent statements have been ghost written. I do not remember Paolo using the word "notwithstandin
g" very often.
burley01rs
says...
8:39am Fri 1 Mar 13
old town robin
says...
8:39am Fri 1 Mar 13
stfcknowitall
says...
8:40am Fri 1 Mar 13
themoonraker wrote:Exactly!! I was fully behind Paolo until he left in the way he did.
It appears that PDC would have preferred us to keep Matt and go into administration, I feel that speaks volumes about the man and his mindset......and some of us wanted him back!
A few days prior to his sudden departure he had accused Andrew Black of 'running away'! Well Paolo then went and done the exactly the same thing as Black!
Paolo was only interested in his own personal achievements and win rate not about the finacial state of the club. He knew he could walk if things didn't go his way and funds we're tight and thats exactly what he done.
Now Bu**er off Paolo before you lose anymore credibility (if you have any left!)...... a new 'chapter' has started here at town and your not part of it!!
RogerJ1969
says...
8:43am Fri 1 Mar 13
If not in everyday terms he has failed to turn up for work for the last couple of weeks therefore breaching his contract of employment (provided there is not a clause that 'he does what he wants'.
If the rag that is the Sun is correct then I would suspect he has no chance of winning any case but has again taken the opportunity to gain publicity over the appointment of his replacement. As AB said 'an accident waiting to happen'.
I make these comments as a big supporter of PDC and beleive it a shame he could not ride out the changes in ownership with a more mature attitude. He obviously does not understand cashflow demands as far as the Richie sale goes.
umpcah
says...
8:44am Fri 1 Mar 13
themoonraker wrote:I`m glad that Di Canio has gone but I cant agree on that. I think it was disgusting that the news of Matt`s transfer came from the player himself. I also think that Di Canio always believed that ample funds were just around the corner.
It appears that PDC would have preferred us to keep Matt and go into administration, I feel that speaks volumes about the man and his mindset......and some of us wanted him back!
mancrobin
says...
8:52am Fri 1 Mar 13
Med Red wrote:I think that's a very fair point. It'seasy for anything Paolo does to raise the emotions. so, Let's not get too excited until we know the full story and more importantly, let's focus on the future.
I think we should wait to hear from Paolo before passing judgement. There's always two sides to a story.
I'm looking forward to today's press conference introducing the new manager and his team. Lets hope he can emulate the success Paolo had.
Jeremy Hilary Boob
says...
9:00am Fri 1 Mar 13
However, it would explain a lot of his clearly drafted statements over the last few weeks, which have displayed a far greater command of English that he demonstrated on TV and the radio. Hopefully some of the PDC fanboys might see that there are two sides to every story and instead of just believing everything he says start thinking if he hasn't been positioning himself for this for a while. It's exactly what some of us have been fearing.
I hope he hasn't got a leg to stand on - whatever the clauses in his contract the survival of the club would surely take precedence? All the stuff about "hostile environment" can be put down to no one doing what Wray did and bigging up his ego when it's a bit deflated. He might need that, but it's hardly grounds for suing.
I'd just wish he'd go away now. He's doing himself no favours and he's just dragging the club's name through the mud. Regardless of what he thought of Black, Patey, McCrory or anyone else, the club took a chance of him and the fans supported him.
If we end up having to pay him and his staff (don't forget they'd sue as well) plus legal costs, we could be finished.
NORTH STAND
says...
9:01am Fri 1 Mar 13
Hollands has been sent back to Charlton
Bostock has gone back to Spurs
Martin has gone back to Norwich
The best tactical brain in the league has been forced out to cut costs
The best motivator in league goes with him
New manager appointed on cheap as chips basis
Bench for Tuesdays game would have embarrassed Cirencester Town
Not looking good General, what can we do to rally the troops....?
Good thinking chaps - Four legs good etc.... pick up your banjos and fall into line...
Scary stuff!
Since 1950
says...
9:08am Fri 1 Mar 13
NORTH STAND wrote:.....Chairman sacked and someone brought in to do a hatchet job and sell to the first bidder. Players offered at 50% discount around the league..... I wonder why Paolo got the hump? It's a mystery!
The best player in the division has been sold to fund interest payments to owners (the real monthly running cost issue) Hollands has been sent back to Charlton Bostock has gone back to Spurs Martin has gone back to Norwich The best tactical brain in the league has been forced out to cut costs The best motivator in league goes with him New manager appointed on cheap as chips basis Bench for Tuesdays game would have embarrassed Cirencester Town Not looking good General, what can we do to rally the troops....? Good thinking chaps - Four legs good etc.... pick up your banjos and fall into line... Scary stuff!
Redhouse Red
says...
9:19am Fri 1 Mar 13
stfcknowitall
says...
9:19am Fri 1 Mar 13
Since 1950 wrote:what would you rather? Administration, League Two football and Andy King in charge?!!!....In one ear and out the next with some of you lot!! we HAD to sell Ritchie, Paolo acted like a spoilt child and couldn't accept the problems lower league clubs face.
NORTH STAND wrote: The best player in the division has been sold to fund interest payments to owners (the real monthly running cost issue) Hollands has been sent back to Charlton Bostock has gone back to Spurs Martin has gone back to Norwich The best tactical brain in the league has been forced out to cut costs The best motivator in league goes with him New manager appointed on cheap as chips basis Bench for Tuesdays game would have embarrassed Cirencester Town Not looking good General, what can we do to rally the troops....? Good thinking chaps - Four legs good etc.... pick up your banjos and fall into line... Scary stuff!.....Chairman sacked and someone brought in to do a hatchet job and sell to the first bidder. Players offered at 50% discount around the league..... I wonder why Paolo got the hump? It's a mystery!
Welcome aboard Kevin Mccdonald!!
Davidsyrett
says...
9:25am Fri 1 Mar 13
If he is going to sue it will just go to show what he really thought about the club.
Davethered
says...
9:28am Fri 1 Mar 13
BYE BYE
Wembley69
says...
9:34am Fri 1 Mar 13
Oi Den!
says...
9:41am Fri 1 Mar 13
.
I don't know whether the Mirror has got it right or not but would be surprised if they are wrong. There's a big clue in the Sky interview: "We have proof that someone told us Ritchie was not for sale." Why would he say someting like that if he wasn't preparing a case? And I wonder what this proof is and how it was obtained?
It was always going to end in tears. It was just a question of when and how.
I didn't want him to leave. I initially hoped he would change his mind. Now I'm glad he's gone. From now on, it's about the club again. The ego has lifted.
Bassett Hound
says...
9:41am Fri 1 Mar 13
NORTH STAND wrote:Idiot !
The best player in the division has been sold to fund interest payments to owners (the real monthly running cost issue)
Hollands has been sent back to Charlton
Bostock has gone back to Spurs
Martin has gone back to Norwich
The best tactical brain in the league has been forced out to cut costs
The best motivator in league goes with him
New manager appointed on cheap as chips basis
Bench for Tuesdays game would have embarrassed Cirencester Town
Not looking good General, what can we do to rally the troops....?
Good thinking chaps - Four legs good etc.... pick up your banjos and fall into line...
Scary stuff!
jedthered
says...
9:43am Fri 1 Mar 13
MidlandRobin
says...
9:43am Fri 1 Mar 13
Bassett Hound
says...
9:46am Fri 1 Mar 13
Last step wrote:How can selling one player constitute constructive dismissal.
batch wrote:Would be disappointed if 'Swindon Town' was the subject of any legal action. Di Canio should be going after Black, Patey et all, the board and desicion makers at the time.
Lets hope Black was made to put money in Escrow as part of the sale to cover unexpected liabilities arising from his ownership.
His watch, his mess up.
If this is at all true I'm disappointed in PDC if he chooses to sue the club. He is a man annoyed, and maybe justifiably so. Who is he trying to hurt here, the man/men who forced him out, or the club and ultimately the fans.
What a mess.
People have been saying all along that it looks like a case of constructive dismissal. Would have cost them too much to sack him.
The car crash continues.
STFCman&boy1973
says...
9:54am Fri 1 Mar 13
Stilloyal
says...
9:58am Fri 1 Mar 13
Sad thing is that his support from Town fans is on the wane and he is in danger of losing ALL the support from every fan that treated him as a god. A very sad situation, please drop it Paolo and go whilst some still revere you as "The Man ".
Another sad point is that Paolo's recent actions are going to put him out of the running for any managers job in England, who would want to employ anyone this unstable ?
Oi Den!
says...
9:58am Fri 1 Mar 13
MidlandRobin wrote:I wouldn't put it quite like that but it's interesting that many of the people now feeling disillusioned with PDC are the very same people who shouted down anyone who dared to question him in any way.
Not such a saint now Di Canio-Lovers.
stfcknowitall
says...
9:59am Fri 1 Mar 13
STFCman&boy1973 wrote:Tw@t!!
Well done Paolo, if this is true, you should sue, everyone else would, and good luck in your future career...
Jeremy Hilary Boob
says...
10:01am Fri 1 Mar 13
STFCman&boy1973 wrote:Are you insane?
Well done Paolo, if this is true, you should sue, everyone else would, and good luck in your future career...
We'd have to pay up the rest of his contract - 2 years at something between £450k and £850k a year according to people on here. Plus the backroom staff as well.
We could find ourselves having to pay £1m-£2m to a manager and his staff who walked out on his because not everything was going their way.
I'd rather the club went bankrupt than paid him a penny.
NORTH STAND
says...
10:03am Fri 1 Mar 13
Bassett Hound wrote:Good input! did you spellcheck that?
NORTH STAND wrote:Idiot !
The best player in the division has been sold to fund interest payments to owners (the real monthly running cost issue)
Hollands has been sent back to Charlton
Bostock has gone back to Spurs
Martin has gone back to Norwich
The best tactical brain in the league has been forced out to cut costs
The best motivator in league goes with him
New manager appointed on cheap as chips basis
Bench for Tuesdays game would have embarrassed Cirencester Town
Not looking good General, what can we do to rally the troops....?
Good thinking chaps - Four legs good etc.... pick up your banjos and fall into line...
Scary stuff!
Salesman's dream some of you - want some new windows (if you buy one you get one free!!!!) Quick though all be gone tomorrow....
Now then - take your partner by the hand...
Med Red
says...
10:06am Fri 1 Mar 13
stfcknowitall wrote:Andy King wasn't that bad a manager, got us to the play-offs on a shoe-string budget.
Since 1950 wrote:what would you rather? Administration, League Two football and Andy King in charge?!!!....In one ear and out the next with some of you lot!! we HAD to sell Ritchie, Paolo acted like a spoilt child and couldn't accept the problems lower league clubs face. Welcome aboard Kevin Mccdonald!!NORTH STAND wrote: The best player in the division has been sold to fund interest payments to owners (the real monthly running cost issue) Hollands has been sent back to Charlton Bostock has gone back to Spurs Martin has gone back to Norwich The best tactical brain in the league has been forced out to cut costs The best motivator in league goes with him New manager appointed on cheap as chips basis Bench for Tuesdays game would have embarrassed Cirencester Town Not looking good General, what can we do to rally the troops....? Good thinking chaps - Four legs good etc.... pick up your banjos and fall into line... Scary stuff!.....Chairman sacked and someone brought in to do a hatchet job and sell to the first bidder. Players offered at 50% discount around the league..... I wonder why Paolo got the hump? It's a mystery!
NORTH STAND
says...
10:07am Fri 1 Mar 13
Oi Den! wrote:Remember that Den - remember it when you drive up Nailsworth hill the year after next for Forest Green away...
MidlandRobin wrote:I wouldn't put it quite like that but it's interesting that many of the people now feeling disillusioned with PDC are the very same people who shouted down anyone who dared to question him in any way.
Not such a saint now Di Canio-Lovers.
At least as we lie on our death beds we will be able to remember that time we were sustainable....
Jeremy Hilary Boob
says...
10:07am Fri 1 Mar 13
Bassett Hound wrote:Can't see how it does - and the club could always argue that they had to sell Ritchie to avoid going into administration.
Last step wrote:How can selling one player constitute constructive dismissal.
batch wrote:Would be disappointed if 'Swindon Town' was the subject of any legal action. Di Canio should be going after Black, Patey et all, the board and desicion makers at the time.
Lets hope Black was made to put money in Escrow as part of the sale to cover unexpected liabilities arising from his ownership.
His watch, his mess up.
If this is at all true I'm disappointed in PDC if he chooses to sue the club. He is a man annoyed, and maybe justifiably so. Who is he trying to hurt here, the man/men who forced him out, or the club and ultimately the fans.
What a mess.
People have been saying all along that it looks like a case of constructive dismissal. Would have cost them too much to sack him.
The car crash continues.
I don't think many have said there's a case for constructive dismissal, but a few of us have said that there was the possibility that this was what he was up to.
Any claim would be against the club, not Black, Patey, etc. All he could sue them for would be libel/slander andwhat Black came out with on Twitter seemed reasoned and thought out and not the rantings of someone who posted first and regretted it later.
hertz
says...
10:07am Fri 1 Mar 13
Wessex Warrior
says...
10:09am Fri 1 Mar 13
It's never straightforward to build and prove a constructive dismissal case, but it doesn't stop people from trying. Particularly those who are angry and emotional.
Paolo will feel that Andrew Black giving up on the budget and much-vanted three-year plan, and the sale of our best player, have thwarted him in his ability to fulfill the terms of his contract (and secure a big bonus for getting us into the Championship). Well they have I suppose. We're all frustrated about that, even if we understand the reasons why.
It will all depend on what is stated in his conract, and in other documents. I would be incredulous if the 'three year plan is' written in tablets of stone. Even then, there will be mitigating circumstances, i.e. we had no future financing of losses and faced administration. A business cannot plunge itself further into debt (and with who's money) just to allow an employee a better chance of earning a bonus.
I don't think he's got a very good chance of winning a constructive dismissal case, unless there is something daft written into his contract. But inevitably it would cost the club legal fees. And the action has to be brought against his former employer, which is Swindon Town Football Club, not Andrew Black. You would have thought that this possibility formed part of the new owner's due diligence (and possibly raised by the Football League), or indemnity from the previous owners was sought, but this would normally be 'in the price' at the transfer of ownership.
the wizard
says...
10:09am Fri 1 Mar 13
Typical of PDC's behavior, if he does sue he will not get another job managing a club in this country.
Self destruct now well and truly under way, and just where is Spencer, did he get an agents cut out of the sale ??? intresting if he did, because PDC would have know about that or did Spencer go behind his back ?
FORZASTFC
says...
10:14am Fri 1 Mar 13
If this is true and you go ahead then you are truly "SCUM".
super reds
says...
10:15am Fri 1 Mar 13
Graham8181
says...
10:27am Fri 1 Mar 13
Your gone Paolo we have a great potential manager come in who won't care about his own CV ahead of that of his clubs, if we kept on operating in ur way we prob would have been kicked out of the league by now in administration. Villa fans have told me macdonald is a great appointment, did so much for Villa. We are going up say we are going up!! Now go sit back down in your arm chair Paolo and don't forget to go pick up your job seekers allowance fortnightly. It's rising from £70 to £75+ in a month or so. Maybe you could pump the extra £5 back each time to the pointless signings you wasted so much money on.
Good luck Maconald very happy with his appointment
peatmoor pirate
says...
10:28am Fri 1 Mar 13
Med Red wrote:Echo that about Andy King; people forget he got us to play offs in L1 when we were struggling to pay wages etc. What would he have done with th money Paolo had?
stfcknowitall wrote:Andy King wasn't that bad a manager, got us to the play-offs on a shoe-string budget.
Since 1950 wrote:what would you rather? Administration, League Two football and Andy King in charge?!!!....In one ear and out the next with some of you lot!! we HAD to sell Ritchie, Paolo acted like a spoilt child and couldn't accept the problems lower league clubs face. Welcome aboard Kevin Mccdonald!!NORTH STAND wrote: The best player in the division has been sold to fund interest payments to owners (the real monthly running cost issue) Hollands has been sent back to Charlton Bostock has gone back to Spurs Martin has gone back to Norwich The best tactical brain in the league has been forced out to cut costs The best motivator in league goes with him New manager appointed on cheap as chips basis Bench for Tuesdays game would have embarrassed Cirencester Town Not looking good General, what can we do to rally the troops....? Good thinking chaps - Four legs good etc.... pick up your banjos and fall into line... Scary stuff!.....Chairman sacked and someone brought in to do a hatchet job and sell to the first bidder. Players offered at 50% discount around the league..... I wonder why Paolo got the hump? It's a mystery!
Wilesy
says...
10:31am Fri 1 Mar 13
a) Day after the Ritchie sale PDC was given the funds to secure 3 new loan players shows there was no intent to weaken the team, despite the FL scuppering that.
b) He continued working after that, he didn't walk then. Ok he issued a statement saying he wasn't happy, but then no-one at Swindon was happy with that, least of all Ritchie I should imagine.
c) He then signed a new temporary contract which he didn't have to do, and called the clubs bluff / held them to ransom with a ridiculous 5pm deadline of get the deal done or lose the great Di Canio. Can't blame Black or Jed for the delay!
d) Also he could have called the club to see what was happening at 5pm, but chose not to.
If he sues that will be that for his managerial career, if it isn't dead in the water already. A pity but then his style wouldn't work at a higher level anyway, and any chairman with half a wit wouldn't touch him with a bargepole, he would be trouble with a capital T.
I know he won't but if he's serious about being a top manager he should move on from this, get another League 1 / League 2 club, show some humility / lessons learnt from his time here, and knuckle down, changing his dictator-style of managment. Or just go back to the Italian media.
bertred63
says...
10:37am Fri 1 Mar 13
Now your just showing your true colours
and making yourself look like a spoilt kid whos had his toys taken away. Grow a pair and just leave with dignity and let us remember you for all the right reasons.
On a more positive note am looking forward to the new regime and championship football next season.
Oi Den!
says...
10:39am Fri 1 Mar 13
NORTH STAND wrote:I'll tell you what I will remember. I will remember that there is room for all points of view; I will remember that it is unwise to indulge in unconditional hero-worship; I will remember that PDC brought great charisma, excellent coaching skills, good football and success; I will remember that PDC wasted a fortune on behalf of the club and still complained that he wasn't given enough money to work with; I will remember that PDC misjudged his employers and pushed them one step too far by quitting in a fit of pique and then expecting them to come chasing after him
Oi Den! wrote:Remember that Den - remember it when you drive up Nailsworth hill the year after next for Forest Green away...
MidlandRobin wrote:I wouldn't put it quite like that but it's interesting that many of the people now feeling disillusioned with PDC are the very same people who shouted down anyone who dared to question him in any way.
Not such a saint now Di Canio-Lovers.
At least as we lie on our death beds we will be able to remember that time we were sustainable....
.
As it happens, I have strong concerns about the future of the club. But what is your alternative to the club sustaining itself? An "investor" like Andrew Black pouring money into the club to sustain the manager's whims, regardless of his track record in spending it? Where would that lead?
I would take non-League football any day compared with the alternative of having no club to support.
Since 1950
says...
10:41am Fri 1 Mar 13
stfcknowitall wrote:Not the point 'knowitall'. The point being it was done behind his back when only hours before he was assured that Ritchie was not for sale. However, as you say, in one ear and out the other with some of you lot.
Since 1950 wrote:what would you rather? Administration, League Two football and Andy King in charge?!!!....In one ear and out the next with some of you lot!! we HAD to sell Ritchie, Paolo acted like a spoilt child and couldn't accept the problems lower league clubs face. Welcome aboard Kevin Mccdonald!!NORTH STAND wrote: The best player in the division has been sold to fund interest payments to owners (the real monthly running cost issue) Hollands has been sent back to Charlton Bostock has gone back to Spurs Martin has gone back to Norwich The best tactical brain in the league has been forced out to cut costs The best motivator in league goes with him New manager appointed on cheap as chips basis Bench for Tuesdays game would have embarrassed Cirencester Town Not looking good General, what can we do to rally the troops....? Good thinking chaps - Four legs good etc.... pick up your banjos and fall into line... Scary stuff!.....Chairman sacked and someone brought in to do a hatchet job and sell to the first bidder. Players offered at 50% discount around the league..... I wonder why Paolo got the hump? It's a mystery!
Wessex Warrior
says...
10:51am Fri 1 Mar 13
Wilesy wrote:Makes you wonder if the club put in the three loan transfers as counter-posturing, because they knew they did not have a cat in hell's chance of being approved by the Football League.
He won't have a leg to stand on if he takes it to court and Black hires a half decent lawyer, whether PDC knew about the Ritchie sale or not. a) Day after the Ritchie sale PDC was given the funds to secure 3 new loan players shows there was no intent to weaken the team, despite the FL scuppering that. b) He continued working after that, he didn't walk then. Ok he issued a statement saying he wasn't happy, but then no-one at Swindon was happy with that, least of all Ritchie I should imagine. c) He then signed a new temporary contract which he didn't have to do, and called the clubs bluff / held them to ransom with a ridiculous 5pm deadline of get the deal done or lose the great Di Canio. Can't blame Black or Jed for the delay! d) Also he could have called the club to see what was happening at 5pm, but chose not to. If he sues that will be that for his managerial career, if it isn't dead in the water already. A pity but then his style wouldn't work at a higher level anyway, and any chairman with half a wit wouldn't touch him with a bargepole, he would be trouble with a capital T. I know he won't but if he's serious about being a top manager he should move on from this, get another League 1 / League 2 club, show some humility / lessons learnt from his time here, and knuckle down, changing his dictator-style of managment. Or just go back to the Italian media.
Another view
says...
10:51am Fri 1 Mar 13
8:39am Fri 1 Mar 13
There were a few on here thinking Curbishley would have been a good shout for the new manager. He made his 2 million out of West Ham and never worked as a manager again and probably never will, because he is tainted and no club with any sense will ever employ him. If Paolo Di Canio goes down the same route, I can't think of anyone would want him either.”
- The same happened to Lou Macari after he spent years sueing Celtic for unfair dismissal. He and Curbishley could/should have gone onto greater things.
As regards Paolo, the club backed him to the hilt over the Clarke bust-up, the Tehouih racial discrimination claim, and they brought funds forward to allow loan players to come in on deadline day - after he had previously blown the budget!
There of course will have been other issues where the club backed him above and beyond. Black said he was always in your face, so human nature says you make some concessions until he goes one step too far.
LydiardRED67
says...
10:52am Fri 1 Mar 13
Since 1950 wrote:I will ignore the hysteria that some on he haveregarding Di Canio and who seem to be defending him above the club itself and raise the hub of this issue.
stfcknowitall wrote:Not the point 'knowitall'. The point being it was done behind his back when only hours before he was assured that Ritchie was not for sale. However, as you say, in one ear and out the other with some of you lot.
Since 1950 wrote:what would you rather? Administration, League Two football and Andy King in charge?!!!....In one ear and out the next with some of you lot!! we HAD to sell Ritchie, Paolo acted like a spoilt child and couldn't accept the problems lower league clubs face. Welcome aboard Kevin Mccdonald!!NORTH STAND wrote: The best player in the division has been sold to fund interest payments to owners (the real monthly running cost issue) Hollands has been sent back to Charlton Bostock has gone back to Spurs Martin has gone back to Norwich The best tactical brain in the league has been forced out to cut costs The best motivator in league goes with him New manager appointed on cheap as chips basis Bench for Tuesdays game would have embarrassed Cirencester Town Not looking good General, what can we do to rally the troops....? Good thinking chaps - Four legs good etc.... pick up your banjos and fall into line... Scary stuff!.....Chairman sacked and someone brought in to do a hatchet job and sell to the first bidder. Players offered at 50% discount around the league..... I wonder why Paolo got the hump? It's a mystery!
Any constructive dismissal claim appears to revolve around the sale of Ritchie and whether he was informed or not.
Black has stated that he was more than aware, PDC says not.
If PDC has only verbal proof then so does Black and as I stated earlier it is one mans word against the other.
The other thing to remember is that a contract does not just revolve around one clause, and the club may have cause to counter sue elsewhere.
Also, did PDC issue and brief out his club discipline process? It appeared that players could be cast away for a wide range of issues.
Personally I don't think anything will come of this and any action will depend upon the strength of PDC evidence.
ShearerShearer
says...
10:55am Fri 1 Mar 13
the wizard wrote:It's common decency for AB to have discussed it with PDC because of the nature of their positions.
As the manager he was an employee of the club. So the owner decides he has to sell a player to save the club. I dont see why he has to notify anyone. Its clear cut, Black is the owner, not the manager . Did PDC have the majority shareholding, no. Typical of PDC's behavior, if he does sue he will not get another job managing a club in this country. Self destruct now well and truly under way, and just where is Spencer, did he get an agents cut out of the sale ??? intresting if he did, because PDC would have know about that or did Spencer go behind his back ?
AB lacked that imo, PDC has disappointed me in the way he has dealt with this so far, very sad.
Faults lie in both camps, and has been said before on here, the biggest problem was that old favourite - COMMUNICATION - upwards and downwards.
Oi Den!
says...
10:56am Fri 1 Mar 13
Oi Den!
says...
10:59am Fri 1 Mar 13
Since 1950
says...
11:07am Fri 1 Mar 13
Oi Den! wrote:Den. I fully understand that Paolo is not without blame in all this.
1950, although I agree that it was wrong for Ritchie to be sold without the manager's knowledge, I think he should understand that the circumstances were exceptional. If he really cared about the club and the fans in the way he always said, he would have taken it on the chin and used it as an opportunity to show what a good manager he can be in (realative) adversity. Instead, he just reinforced many people's view that can't/won't manage a club without having everything going his own way.
I am gutted and disappointed at the way he chose to make his exit. He let himself down in my book as well as the fans who couldn't have done more to support him.
I was just trying to draw some balance here from those who choose to try and attempt a character assassination of the man who put some real pride back into the shirt. The other side of the coin is that I believe all this was done to get rid of the man, as I have oft said now.
Bye the way I note reference to FGR in earlier posts. Are you in the Stroud lacation also?
DBTSTFC
says...
11:07am Fri 1 Mar 13
Had enough of this now lets talk about STFC, Macdonald and a nice 3-0 win tomorrow.
COYR
BillyLucas4me
says...
11:10am Fri 1 Mar 13
'who paid them, Pdc or the Club'?
davel4848
says...
11:16am Fri 1 Mar 13
Since 1950 wrote:Get real 1950 !!!!!!
stfcknowitall wrote:Not the point 'knowitall'. The point being it was done behind his back when only hours before he was assured that Ritchie was not for sale. However, as you say, in one ear and out the other with some of you lot.
Since 1950 wrote:what would you rather? Administration, League Two football and Andy King in charge?!!!....In one ear and out the next with some of you lot!! we HAD to sell Ritchie, Paolo acted like a spoilt child and couldn't accept the problems lower league clubs face. Welcome aboard Kevin Mccdonald!!NORTH STAND wrote: The best player in the division has been sold to fund interest payments to owners (the real monthly running cost issue) Hollands has been sent back to Charlton Bostock has gone back to Spurs Martin has gone back to Norwich The best tactical brain in the league has been forced out to cut costs The best motivator in league goes with him New manager appointed on cheap as chips basis Bench for Tuesdays game would have embarrassed Cirencester Town Not looking good General, what can we do to rally the troops....? Good thinking chaps - Four legs good etc.... pick up your banjos and fall into line... Scary stuff!.....Chairman sacked and someone brought in to do a hatchet job and sell to the first bidder. Players offered at 50% discount around the league..... I wonder why Paolo got the hump? It's a mystery!
Oi Den!
says...
11:23am Fri 1 Mar 13
Since 1950 wrote:1950, it was NORTH STAND who mentioned FGR. I'm in Stratton.
Oi Den! wrote:Den. I fully understand that Paolo is not without blame in all this.
1950, although I agree that it was wrong for Ritchie to be sold without the manager's knowledge, I think he should understand that the circumstances were exceptional. If he really cared about the club and the fans in the way he always said, he would have taken it on the chin and used it as an opportunity to show what a good manager he can be in (realative) adversity. Instead, he just reinforced many people's view that can't/won't manage a club without having everything going his own way.
I am gutted and disappointed at the way he chose to make his exit. He let himself down in my book as well as the fans who couldn't have done more to support him.
I was just trying to draw some balance here from those who choose to try and attempt a character assassination of the man who put some real pride back into the shirt. The other side of the coin is that I believe all this was done to get rid of the man, as I have oft said now.
Bye the way I note reference to FGR in earlier posts. Are you in the Stroud lacation also?
I doubt that it was all engineered to get rid of PDC. The club clearly didn't want to sell Ritchie. Black said he blocked the move initially but in the end felt there was no choice. They couldn't have known that PDC was going to quit. They may well now feel that they are better off without him but I think he cooked his own goose.
The Jockster
says...
11:24am Fri 1 Mar 13
peatmoor pirate wrote:Bought more expensive and bigger Havana cigars!
Med Red wrote:Echo that about Andy King; people forget he got us to play offs in L1 when we were struggling to pay wages etc. What would he have done with th money Paolo had?
stfcknowitall wrote:Andy King wasn't that bad a manager, got us to the play-offs on a shoe-string budget.
Since 1950 wrote:what would you rather? Administration, League Two football and Andy King in charge?!!!....In one ear and out the next with some of you lot!! we HAD to sell Ritchie, Paolo acted like a spoilt child and couldn't accept the problems lower league clubs face. Welcome aboard Kevin Mccdonald!!NORTH STAND wrote: The best player in the division has been sold to fund interest payments to owners (the real monthly running cost issue) Hollands has been sent back to Charlton Bostock has gone back to Spurs Martin has gone back to Norwich The best tactical brain in the league has been forced out to cut costs The best motivator in league goes with him New manager appointed on cheap as chips basis Bench for Tuesdays game would have embarrassed Cirencester Town Not looking good General, what can we do to rally the troops....? Good thinking chaps - Four legs good etc.... pick up your banjos and fall into line... Scary stuff!.....Chairman sacked and someone brought in to do a hatchet job and sell to the first bidder. Players offered at 50% discount around the league..... I wonder why Paolo got the hump? It's a mystery!
Since 1950
says...
11:31am Fri 1 Mar 13
davel4848 wrote:Thank you for your for that enlighteningcontribu
Since 1950 wrote:Get real 1950 !!!!!!stfcknowitall wrote:Not the point 'knowitall'. The point being it was done behind his back when only hours before he was assured that Ritchie was not for sale. However, as you say, in one ear and out the other with some of you lot.Since 1950 wrote:what would you rather? Administration, League Two football and Andy King in charge?!!!....In one ear and out the next with some of you lot!! we HAD to sell Ritchie, Paolo acted like a spoilt child and couldn't accept the problems lower league clubs face. Welcome aboard Kevin Mccdonald!!NORTH STAND wrote: The best player in the division has been sold to fund interest payments to owners (the real monthly running cost issue) Hollands has been sent back to Charlton Bostock has gone back to Spurs Martin has gone back to Norwich The best tactical brain in the league has been forced out to cut costs The best motivator in league goes with him New manager appointed on cheap as chips basis Bench for Tuesdays game would have embarrassed Cirencester Town Not looking good General, what can we do to rally the troops....? Good thinking chaps - Four legs good etc.... pick up your banjos and fall into line... Scary stuff!.....Chairman sacked and someone brought in to do a hatchet job and sell to the first bidder. Players offered at 50% discount around the league..... I wonder why Paolo got the hump? It's a mystery!
tion to the debate. Take you all morning to come up with that pearl of wisdom?
eastmidsred
says...
11:47am Fri 1 Mar 13
The club has no other assets.
He is either being very badly advised or is being very stupid without considering the wider consequences. More likely that the story is just not true and the dust will settle soon. Ciao Paolo e grazie.
Oi Den!
says...
11:56am Fri 1 Mar 13
Strong words - and an ill-informed untruth. A quick look at the accounts will tell you that the loans were interest free.
PigHill
says...
12:00pm Fri 1 Mar 13
Give it up and move on Di Canio. You're not doing yourself any favours.
RogerJ1969
says...
12:16pm Fri 1 Mar 13
Would'nt put it past him, his reputation is fast going down the pan.
Cold light of day analysis of his signings from day one do not make impressive reading. So much club money wasted, no doubt the Agent filled his boots though.
swindonthruandthru
says...
12:20pm Fri 1 Mar 13
London Red
says...
1:41pm Fri 1 Mar 13
.
Much better to make sh@t up than actually do any sort of research!
swjoduk
says...
1:43pm Fri 1 Mar 13
the don69
says...
2:37pm Fri 1 Mar 13
NORTH STAND wrote:More rubbish NS!get your facts right and as for Ritchie being the best player in the league?ask Muff fans what they think of him so far?I can tell you NOT MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The best player in the division has been sold to fund interest payments to owners (the real monthly running cost issue)
Hollands has been sent back to Charlton
Bostock has gone back to Spurs
Martin has gone back to Norwich
The best tactical brain in the league has been forced out to cut costs
The best motivator in league goes with him
New manager appointed on cheap as chips basis
Bench for Tuesdays game would have embarrassed Cirencester Town
Not looking good General, what can we do to rally the troops....?
Good thinking chaps - Four legs good etc.... pick up your banjos and fall into line...
Scary stuff!
Nigel, Denver CO
says...
3:31pm Fri 1 Mar 13
Is that you Lovesey
says...
4:03pm Fri 1 Mar 13
Why quit Swindon, they sold a plaaaayer behiiiind my back to avoiiid admiistration and not get deduced points....
So what would you do if we told you to sell a player, I have integrity I will quit and come back, break into the club, trespass, remove things from the walls and then **** and moan to the press..... Niiiiiice.....
ya mums got facial hair
says...
4:26pm Fri 1 Mar 13
Can't understand why it's news to jed.
He said its in the legal teams hands when Ritchie was sold,that's when he said it was a breech of his contract.
Breech of contract = sue.
Should have sorted it out before that stupid Monday deadline.
Come back Paolo.
sp2769
says...
5:51pm Fri 1 Mar 13
GUVVVV
says...
6:41pm Fri 1 Mar 13
SimonPrice351
says...
7:29pm Fri 1 Mar 13
This won't be what people want to hear, but if STFC has broken employment/contract law then they can be sued as the UK and EU rules on this are very strict and the fines can be huge.
I would urge Paolo to not go down this route, as he'd be hurting the club, fans and people that he has said he loves on countless occasions.
madterrier says...
12:42am Fri 1 Mar 13
Hard to believe that any club would put a clause in a manager's contract that players could only be sold with their consent, after the Curbishley £2 million case. But you never know.
I just hope that the new owners sought some sort of indemnity from Black for this eventuality, but I doubt it.