By Mark Baber
June 24 – Gus Poyet was sacked from his position as manager of Championship club Brighton and Hove Albion yesterday and, in a PR disaster for the club, apparently only heard of the sacking whilst in the BBC studios where he was acting as a pundit for the Confederations Cup coverage.
During half-time in the Spain-Nigeria game, viewers were surprised to see Poyet interviewed about his feelings, after having just been informed by production staff of his sacking, who had printed out a copy of a press release sent by the South coast club earlier in the evening in which the club said: “Gus Poyet has been informed today by Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club’s internal disciplinary panel that his employment has been terminated with immediate effect.
“This followed his suspension, an investigation, and a subsequent formal disciplinary process. In line with the club’s own procedures, and UK employment law, Mr Poyet now has a right of appeal. As such, the club will make no further comment on this matter or recent LMA statements at this time.”
According to Poyet he had received no advanced warning of this statement.
Poyet was suspended by Brighton last week, reportedly after an argument with chairman Tony Bloom over Poyet’s demands for additional funds for new players. Poyet was ordered to stay away from the club and not to talk to the players as each side took legal advice.
Poyet received backing from the League Managers Association and matters grew increasingly acrimonious.
In an incident which has been widely picked up by social media and linked to the saga, an email from Poyet to the club staff was leaked to the press, in which the Uruguayan demanded that the person who had been responsible for a “terrible” incident when excrement had been deposited in the away team dressing room on the occasion of the play-off against Crystal Palace own up so they could be sacked.
After Poyet had taken the club to the play-offs it is sad to see the two sides part in such acrimonious circumstances. With the full circumstances of the breakdown in relations shrouded in mystery, Poyet made clear he will appeal the decision and there is a prospect of the matter going to an industrial tribunal. Meanwhile, the timing of the announcement of the termination of Poyet’s termination, on a Sunday evening whilst he was live on BBC commenting on the Confederations Cup, is being widely perceived as a spectacular own-goal by the club.
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