View Full Version : Stephen Kennys off to Court!
horton
01/11/2012, 1:59 PM
http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/kenny-goes-to-high-court-in-bid-for-secure-hoops-payoff-3279442.html
SOLICITORS acting on behalf of Stephen Kenny are looking for a substantional pay-off from Shamrock Rovers (http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Shamrock_Rovers) after lodging papers in the High Court to seek judgment on the manner of his sacking in September.The Dubliner was dismissed by the Hoops just nine months into a three-year contract, and Kenny's legal representatives are claiming that the termination of his employment without his consent constitutes a breach of contract.
They are seeking substantial compensation on that basis, and have requested a summary judgment. It is understood that there has been some dialogue between Kenny's representatives and the club about reaching a settlement, but they have failed to reach agreement.
The Rovers hierarchy are believed to be confident of reaching a resolution before the matter goes to court, although they will be keen to avoid a hefty pay-off.
Trevor Crolly, meanwhile, is favourite to get the nod over Martin Russell as Rovers prepare to appoint a new manager.
Crolly, currently first-team coach at St Patrick's Athletic, is well known to the Hoops board, having served as assistant to Michael O'Neill (http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Michael_O'Neill_(footballer)) before they fell out midway through last year.
..............
- Daniel McDonnell
So we have our first court case of the off-season started! I assume if Kenny was offered a job somewhere, taking it would wreck his chances of getting a big payday from Rovers?
The high court, ouch, expensive business for all involved.
Charlie Darwin
01/11/2012, 2:10 PM
No way it'll go to the high court for the aforementioned reason - Kenny knows he has the club over a barrell so he can play hardball. I'm a little surprised he doesn't want to get back into management though - any big payment will likely mean he can't look for another job for up to two years.
I would prefer Russell to Crolly next year. It would really be something to see an actual footballing manager in Tallaght.
adamd164
01/11/2012, 2:53 PM
I'd say most Rovers fans will be disgusted with either of those two appointments, they'll be after some 'big name' from abroad again.
I'm a little surprised he doesn't want to get back into management though - any big payment will likely mean he can't look for another job for up to two years.
But would anyone that's likely to employ him be able to pay anything resembling what Rovers were able to? Maybe better for him financially to go with the 'make Rovers pay' route.
Given the speed of the Irish court system it could be years before this is heard in any case.
Charlie Darwin
01/11/2012, 3:10 PM
I'd say most Rovers fans will be disgusted with either of those two appointments, they'll be after some 'big name' from abroad again.
Again? Anybody who attends games will know what a good manager Russell is.
But would anyone that's likely to employ him be able to pay anything resembling what Rovers were able to? Maybe better for him financially to go with the 'make Rovers pay' route.
They wouldn't necessarily need to if he had a modest settlement from Rovers. The damage to his career of taking a year or two out of the game could outweigh any step down in wages.
oldfan
01/11/2012, 3:37 PM
http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/kenny-goes-to-high-court-in-bid-for-secure-hoops-payoff-3279442.html
?
So will the SDCC pay for this if SK wins ?
:D
Lim till i die
01/11/2012, 4:41 PM
This is one of the problems with having fans on a board.
Sacking 3 (THREE) year contract Stephen Kenny after a few months was an absolutely nuts decision.
In all fairness it's not like non-fans on boards aren't prone to making rash decisions!
Lim till i die
01/11/2012, 5:10 PM
In all fairness it's not like non-fans on boards aren't prone to making rash decisions!
They're far more likely to contain lots of stubborn **** the fans, I RUN THIS TOWN, types though.*
*With admitedly mixed results.
Longfordian
01/11/2012, 6:04 PM
A "substantional payout" no less. What a great new word.
Sounds a bit holy. Maybe he's going to turn the money into the body of Jesus or something.
A "substantional payout" no less. What a great new word.
its not great, its fantabulous!
gormacha
01/11/2012, 7:31 PM
No way it'll go to the high court for the aforementioned reason - Kenny knows he has the club over a barrell so he can play hardball. I'm a little surprised he doesn't want to get back into management though - any big payment will likely mean he can't look for another job for up to two years.
I'm not an expert in employment law, but I think that's very unlikely to be the case. He had a three year contract. They broke the contract. In the absence of gross misconduct, they owe him the balance of the contract. To the best of my knowledge, even if they pay up in full, they cannot restrain him from getting another job. That would be a denial of rights.
Charlie Darwin
01/11/2012, 7:58 PM
But they haven't breached his contract - he's still being paid to the best of my knowledge, he's just not being asked to fulfill his end of the contract.
In the event of a breach, the club would be obliged either to fulfill the contract (meaning Kenny couldn't work until it was up) or pay some sort of forfeit (i.e. a settlement). There is nothing in employment law that states breach of contract means the offending party has to pay it in full with no conditions attached.
Any truth in the rumour Shams are handing Croly a three year deal after Laws turned the job down?
gormacha
01/11/2012, 8:48 PM
But they haven't breached his contract - he's still being paid to the best of my knowledge, he's just not being asked to fulfill his end of the contract.
In the event of a breach, the club would be obliged either to fulfill the contract (meaning Kenny couldn't work until it was up) or pay some sort of forfeit (i.e. a settlement). There is nothing in employment law that states breach of contract means the offending party has to pay it in full with no conditions attached.
If Rovers weren't in breach, then there would be no way Kenny's legal team would have them in court.
If someone is taken on for a job, and is then denied the opportunity to do that job - even if they're still being paid - then the other party muct be in breach of contract. It could be regarded as an attempt at constructive dismissal, and I'm sure you could get them for damage to reputation and future employment.
But they haven't breached his contract - he's still being paid to the best of my knowledge, he's just not being asked to fulfill his end of the contract.
In the event of a breach, the club would be obliged either to fulfill the contract (meaning Kenny couldn't work until it was up) or pay some sort of forfeit (i.e. a settlement). There is nothing in employment law that states breach of contract means the offending party has to pay it in full with no conditions attached.
if he's filed a High Court motion or statement of claim then you can rest assured that his legal advisors believe there has been a breach of contract. Removing him from his duties was humiliating - worse than being sacked in some ways. Hiring Laws for three months was stupid. Handing Kenny a 3 year contract in the first place was also stupid. In this league you tend to pay the price for being stupid.
edit - well said Gormacha.
Charlie Darwin
01/11/2012, 9:05 PM
If someone is taken on for a job, and is then denied the opportunity to do that job - even if they're still being paid - then the other party muct be in breach of contract. It could be regarded as an attempt at constructive dismissal, and I'm sure you could get them for damage to reputation and future employment.
I suppose Rovers may have signaled an intention to breach the contract as they are looking for a new manager, but otherwise they're under no legal obligation to allow him to manage the club, no more than they're under a legal obligation to play Ronan Finn or Ciaran Kilduff.
Kenny's contract, unless it's one of the most bizarre contracts ever written, entitles him to a salary in exchange for work. If the club chooses not to require him to work but pays him regardless, they have not voided the contract. Kenny has absolutely no entitlement to take control of team affairs if the club does not want him to.
if he's filed a High Court motion or statement of claim then you can rest assured that his legal advisors believe there has been a breach of contract. Removing him from his duties was humiliating - worse than being sacked in some ways. Hiring Laws for three months was stupid. Handing Kenny a 3 year contract in the first place was also stupid. In this league you tend to pay the price for being stupid.
Agreed on all points of stupidity, but the motion is an attempt to force a settlement. Kenny is on gardening leave - it's a very common situation for a manager to find himself in. Unless the club has stopped paying him, they haven't breached anything.
so will they be paying him and Croly for the same job? Paying for two managers would be stupid.
Charlie Darwin
01/11/2012, 9:19 PM
They don't have a choice. Chelsea were paying Villas Boas and Di Matteo for a few months. In fact Chelsea are usually paying at least two managers given how often they're sacked. It's only until Kenny agrees to a settlement, which he seems to be (rightfully) digging his heels in on.
I'm not 100% sure Croly would be able to be described as "manager" though. He might have to be a Director of Football or a General Managar or something until Kenny is gone.
marinobohs
05/11/2012, 1:53 PM
I think Charlie has this one right. As long as shams are paying Kenny they can avail of his services as much or as little as they wish. To pursue a constructive dismnissal case he would have to walk away from his contract. Also far from uncommon for EPL teams to be paying managers (and occasssionally players) long after they have left
Most likely possibility is that Kenny wants to seek another job and therefore wants to terminate his contractual relationship with shams (by reaching agreed settlement). Shams are playing handball by not agreeing a severance package (by continuing to pay him as per contract) thereby hoping to push him into a more reasonable settlement.
This is of course speculation as without knowing the terms of his contract it is impossible to be sure. Wioll be very interesting (but unlikely) if neither side blind and details role out in court.
BonnieShels
05/11/2012, 4:18 PM
Trevor Croly to be named Shams boss according to RTÉ
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/irish/2012/1105/344361-hoops-set-to-name-croly-as-boss/
ger121
05/11/2012, 5:58 PM
Trevor Croly to be named Shams boss according to RTÉ
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/irish/2012/1105/344361-hoops-set-to-name-croly-as-boss/
Interesting choice if true. No Managerial experience, though that doesn't mean he won't make it work. What do the Rovers lads on here think about the appointment?
Charlie Darwin
05/11/2012, 7:03 PM
I'd have preferred Russell but I think he's the next best choice. He knows the club, was part of the successful seasons despite walking away and is well-versed in playing attractive, winning football. And if he can cajole in Forrester, O'Connor, Browne, Bermingham and Carroll I wouldn't be unhappy.
Most likely possibility is that Kenny wants to seek another job and therefore wants to terminate his contractual relationship with shams (by reaching agreed settlement). Shams are playing handball by not agreeing a severance package (by continuing to pay him as per contract) thereby hoping to push him into a more reasonable settlement.
Nail on the head I'd guess. I'm sure SK doesn't want to spend the next two years out of the managerial merry-go-round.
Oh,and Trevor who ??:tongue:
Hibs4Ever
05/11/2012, 8:04 PM
And if he can cajole in Forrester, O'Connor, Browne, Bermingham and Carroll I wouldn't be unhappy.
Browne has signed for Saints again for next season, and if you want either Forrester or Carroll, get the wallet out ;)
redarmyfaction
05/11/2012, 8:10 PM
I imagine Shams signed Kenny as Manager and hiring Laws no matter what weasel words were used to describe his role, the substantive part of his job was to manage Shams, I would say SK is getting his retaliation in first before other creditors appear.
bluewhitearmy
06/11/2012, 3:40 PM
Kenny to Dundalk anyone?
White Horse
06/11/2012, 4:38 PM
Kenny to Dundalk anyone?
http://www.dundalkfc.com/dundalk-part-company-with-kierans/
After an end of season review by the new Board of Management at Dundalk Football Club, the Club has made a decision not to renew the contract of Darius Kierans for the 2013 season.
Dundalk Football Club has placed the recruitment of an experienced manager to prepare for the 2013 season at the top of our priorities.
sligoman
06/11/2012, 7:57 PM
http://www.dundalkfc.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/330388.jpg
Dillonman
06/11/2012, 8:09 PM
http://www.dundalkfc.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/330388.jpgI know the McCaffrey appointment made us look very stupid but I seriously dont think we are even that stupid!!!
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