A contractual wrangle over severance terms does not amount to much of a story. That said, I sincerely hope the club does the right thing by Nigel. And it remains true that this may have been the harshest sacking in the short and ignoble history of the Premier League.
The sacking was undeserved certainly, but was made with an eye to the future of the club. Most of us believe it may be the right decision in the long term, but the jury is still out on that. Sadly, most managers get their job after another man is sacked. However, as I said, undeserved in this case.
Nigel Adkins never struck me as someone who would be greedy, he is doing all right if he is getting a monthly wage for doing nothing until a sensible agreement has been reached. The Press (The Mail in particular) are bound to try and make something out of it and as always, no smoke without fire and mud always sticks. Let's hope that common sense sees a fair deal and a positive future for NA.
I suspect that Nigel has a sense of righteous indignation and who could blame him. Not a matter of being greedy...we've all been in a position of feeling hard done by. He may have been offered a deal on the day, but had the sense to wait until he had consulted with experts. Arbitration may be the best way for him. We may not like the club (aka Nicola Cortese) apparently trying to cut a deal rather than giving Nigel a full pay off, but we have no idea of financial position. Delaying the pay off may make good business sense.
Beddy, if the Daily Mail got it half right it'd be The Independent or some other quality paper! It is not unknown for a dismissed person to go to arbitration to settle the matter. He is not going to an Employment Tribunal, as he would if it was an unfair dismissal. This is clearly a simple cash flow matter combined with (perhaps) Nigel having an inflated view of his worth. Nigel Adkins always proved himself to be an honourable man, and I'm sure he is as unhappy to have this particular dirty washing aired in public. The sooner it is settled the better so we can all move on,
If I was in Nigel Adkin's shoes, then I'd want the best deal possible. If I was in Nicola Cortese's shoes then I'd want the best deal for the club possible. These issues are never straight forward and although I'd love to see Nigel given a relatively generous settlement, I don't think paying his contract up and him then walking into a new job is necessarily right either. In business (and football), sentiment can only ride a short journey.
I wonder if Nigel is due some kind of pay out based upon our survival in the league this season and that is causing dispute? Either way, I hope he gets a fair settlement and is allowed to go and manage elsewhere, he's a top manager and guy.
The more time I spend on this forum, the more I am amazed how fickle football fans are. Cortese is a hard nosed business man who, I suspect will pay as little as he can get away with. The older you get, the more you realise that people should be treated fairly if credibility is to be maintained. He may be a great chairman and he may be taking us to places we could only dream about, but I'm not a great lover of success at all costs?
He could be claiming a complete pay up of contract (with arguments over bonuses he may have expected in that time), whereas Saints will want to pay compensation based on the fact that he will get another job. There appear to be no mitigating circumstances to justify SFC's position. Cortese may think he was underperforming on his scale of achievement, but no independent person would think that. Adkins certainly didn't misbehave. The final figure will probably be somewhere in the middle decided by tribunal.
I can't see anyone saying "at all costs". Most people seem torn by their admiration of Adkins and their love of the club. Suggests they want a "fair" deal all round to me. I don't see where you are getting this view; most want a fair deal for Nigel that is also right by the club.
None of this would suprise me (if true), as Cortese has shown himself to be a ball-breaking businessman with very little scruples which is a shame because if there is one man that deserves to be treated respectfully it is Nigel Adkins. I can remember him refusing to sign a contract to become Saints manager until his old club recieved a decent settlement, come on Nicola, do the right thing instead of acting in self interest for once.
I doubt this is that unusual...after all Hughes is trying for compensation. It's arriving at a figure that is right for both parties, although I think Adkins' achievements for us should be taken into account by SFC. Perhaps NC has made an offer that we would think was good, but not a fully paid up contract. Who knows? Nigel has taken legal advice and who could blame him. This is what arbitration is for.
Indeed, hardly a story at all. If I'm understanding the story right, then I understand where both sides are coming from here. Hopefully they come to an amicable agreement. As for the harshest sacking ever though, I am getting fed up with this quote in the media. The PL has been going over 20 years now. Have the media really considered each and every sacking when it comes to basically coming to this conclusion. WBA were largely in the same position as us when they sacked Di Matteo, and Chelsea sacked Ancelotti the evening after they finished 2nd. And what was Chris Hughton doing wrong at Newcastle? And that's just in the last three years.
