Dundee United have confirmed their pursuit of Bohemians manager Pat Fenlon is at an end, blaming the “excessive” compensation demands of the League of Ireland champions.
The Dalymount club has this evening insisted it “did not want to prevent him [Fenlon] taking up a deserved opportunity to manage a football team operating on a bigger stage” but the compensation required had to be sufficient.
The Scottish Premier League club were hoping to secure Fenlon’s services as a replacement for newly-installed Scotland manager Craig Levein but Bohs were adamant they were due at least €200,000 in return.
The Tannadice club were reportedly prepared to offer €100,000 but the gap proved too significant to bridge during talks held this afternoon.
“Dundee United has decided not to pursue any further interest in Pat Fenlon as team manager due to the excessive compensation demand made by his club and unwillingness to reduce this,” a club statement read this afternoon.
“We now consider the matter at an end and will pursue other options.”
Fenlon won four trophies in the last two years with Bohs and was keen to move to Scotland but always insisted he wanted to leave on good terms.
Since United sought permission to speak with Fenlon on Tuesday, Bohs have maintained they wanted to keep their manager at Dalymount rather than receive compensation.
Fenlon held talks and agreed personal terms with United on Wednesday.
He could still leave Bohs of his own accord but that may not necessarily be welcomed by United who might still be liable to a large compensation claim, were they to take him on.