West Ham settle with Curbishley

West Ham have settled a compensation claim from former manager Alan Curbishley it was announced here on Wednesday.

In November, Curbishley won his case for wrongful dismissal against the Premier League club after his resignation from the east London side in September 2008.

But the issue of compensation was still outstanding.

Curbishley, 52, guided the Hammers to 10th place in his only full season in charge after making his name as a manager with London rivals Charlton, whom he helped establish as a top-flight club.

However, he quit Upton Park when players were sold against his wishes.

The League Managers’ Association (LMA) said Wednesday that Curbishley was entitled to resign because the sales constituted a breach of his contract.

“We can confirm that Alan Curbishley and West Ham have finalised all issues in relation to his departure from the club,” said an LMA statement.

“The Managers’ Arbitration Tribunal of the FA Premier League previously, had unanimously upheld Alan Curbishley’s claim of wrongful dismissal against West Ham United Football Club.

“He resigned at the beginning of the 2008-09 season after the club sold Anton Ferdinand and subsequently George McCartney to Sunderland against his wishes.

“The tribunal upheld Alan Curbishley’s right to have ultimate sole authority in relation to the sale and purchase of players, found that the conduct of the club amounted to a fundamental breach of contract and that Alan Curbishley was therefore entitled to resign.”

Curbishley, looking to return to management, thanked David Sullivan for acting quickly to conclude the case following his takeover of West Ham with David Gold last month.

“It has taken many months to conclude this case but I am proud of my record at West Ham which included a win ratio of 40 percent after initially keeping the club in the Premier League and a 10th place finish in my only full season in charge,” Curbishley told www.leaguemanagers.com.

“I would like to thank David Sullivan for acting quickly and concluding the settlement since his arrival at West Ham.”

He added: “With my managerial record intact, I am now looking forward to the future and getting back into football management.”

West Ham, now managed by former Chelsea and Italy forward Gianfranco Zola, are currently 14th in the table but only a point above the relegation zone.