Former Coventry City chairman and more recent director of football, Ken Dulieu has bee sacked by the owners of the club for what has been called a "gross error of judgement".
After standing down as chairman, Dulieu appointed himself as director of football so he could assist the manager Andy Thorn, but all he succeeded in doing was to alienate the fans and embarrass the club, something the owners, Sisu could not tolerate.
Dulieu's "gross error of judgement" was to invite himself into the dressing room prior to the home game against Hull City and then sit in the dugout with Thorn and his coaching staff.
Dulieu's actions appeared to the fans and press as undermining the authority of Andy Thorn and unduly meddling with affairs with which he had no experience. The sight of Dulieu on the bench also shocked and embarrassed the board of directors, a mood which later turned to anger with all of the negative publicity in the national press pointing the spotlight onto the secretive Sisu.
It is understood that Dulieu tendered his resignation last Thursday and left the club before he was sacked thereby bringing to an end an eventful 12 months at Coventry City.
The interim managing director at Coventry City Tim Fisher said, “The reality is everyone understands and recognises that what Ken did was a gross error of judgement and, subsequent to sitting in the dugout, he has resigned and I have accepted it."
He went on to say, “Andy Thorn showed a lot of dignity and respect for Ken because he didn’t get drawn on it, but it is clear he was frustrated because it was a side show.”
Dulieu's action raised attention during the summer pre-season training camp at Vale do Lobo, where Dulieu's family home overlooks the training facility. While the team were at the training camp, Dulieu frequently walked his dogs and chatted to Thorn, the coaching staff and the players and even had a replica training kits made up with his own initials emblazoned on.
Last nigh the club released a statement which read, “Ken Dulieu has resigned as Coventry City FC’s head of football operations, a decision which has been unanimously and immediately accepted by the club’s board. Mr Dulieu has left his post with immediate effect and the board will now seek a new director of football.
“Two board moves have also been announced. John Clarke has decided to focus his energies in future as an independent director on one board, CCFC (Holdings) Ltd. He remains as deputy chairman and his role is unchanged. Tim Fisher has replaced John Clarke on the board of Coventry City Football Club Limited representing the major shareholder.
Fisher explained, "This move of directors is simply for administrative efficiency. The board of the football club should include a representative of the owner and the deputy chairman as an independent director should be on the Holdings Board.”
Source: FOOTYMAD
