Csaba Laszlo, former manager of Heart of Midlothian FC, will appear before an employment tribunal in Edinburgh next week in an attempt to win compensation for unfair dismissal and breach of contract.
The 46-year-old Hungarian lost his job in January in rather bizarre circumstances. Hearts were doing well in the league at the time and his dismissal came only six months after he scooped two Manager of the Year awards, having guided the club to third spot in the SPL during the 2008-9 season.
"We were doing well, seven games unbeaten in the league having played both Celtic and Rangers," Laszlo told the Times. "We were also in the League Cup semi-finals, which was great for the club because they hadn't been in a final since 1997.
"Four weeks [before being sacked] ... I met the owner, talked about our problems and what we needed to go forward. It was a normal conversation and there was no indication of any problems.
"On the Friday when I was sacked, I went through the normal routine of training and then the morning press conference. Since I arrived, there has been great media interest in the club. That wasn't down to me, but because we finished third.
"I spoke to the press, then I got a notice telling me the owner would like to speak to me. Even then I thought it was nothing in particular. But when I spoke to [Vladimir] Romanov, he briefly told me he was terminating my contract. He didn't even give a reason. No justification, he said he didn't have to. The newspapers also tried to get a reason from him without success.
"My contract was completely clear. ... It specifies that if they break the deal, they will have financial obligations imposed. I wanted to keep my private contract details to myself. I refused to speak to journalists because I expected the club to honour their commitments. But that did not happen and ... I have had to take the matter further."
Laszlo had 18 months remaining on his contract and is reportedly suing the club for a six-figure sum.
Related links:
- Ex-Hearts boss Csaba Laszlo to take club to court over dismissal (Scotsman)
- Csaba Laszlo claims unfair dismissal at Hearts (Telegraph)
- Angry Csaba Laszlo says he still doesn't understand why Hearts sacked him (Times)
- Unfair dismissal law news (The Solicitor)
- Employment law Q&A (Community)
- Unfair dismissal (Findlaw.co.uk)
- Find an employment solicitor (Contact Law)
