More news from the Blues as Strachan sues

Last updated : 24 April 2003 By Christian Kelly

Strachan, who latest reports suggest is pursuing the action not only because he is legally entitled to it, but because of the abuse he and his family received from fans, was understandably angry at the news being released.

Both Strachan and Coventry FC have agreed that the leaks came from a third party, but it's clearly in someone's interest that Strachan be painted in a bad light for simply wanting his contract to be fulfilled.

An official statement from Coventry chairman Mike McGinnity said: "We’ve been in contact with Mr Strachan over the last two weeks with a view to settling the outstanding monies owed to him by Coventry City Football Club. I can assure supporters that I spoke to him at length yesterday after the story appeared for the second time in a fortnight and Gordon categorically denied any involvement in issuing this story to any newspaper.

"I confirmed to Gordon that Coventry City Football Club had also not released this story and both parties agreed that this information was released by a third party unconnected to Coventry City Football Club. Gordon supported this by referring to other articles printed in newspapers over the last few months of which he or the club had no knowledge.

"Gordon is extremely annoyed as he believes this story paints him as a person of a greedy nature but he considers he is owed his loyalty bonus after he and his family endured constant abuse during the last six months of his position with the club.

"However Gordon also reiterated he is extremely willing to consider the proposals made to him by Coventry City and hopefully this will come to a satisfactory conclusion without the need for High Court action.

"This negative story about Coventry City was obviously one which could have been avoided and is another example of how some third parties should refrain from getting involved in matters which do not concern them."

This story is just one of a number, such as McGinnity saying that he would sack Strachan all over again. Anyone who read the article would have seen that that wasn't what was being said.

I said it yesterday, but if Coventry are stupid enough to offer silly money to their managers just for staying with the club then they have only got them,selves to blame. Pretending the issue is Gordon Strachan being greedy is merely a pathetic attempt to divert attention from shoddy management at Highfield Road.