Dundee United call off Fenlon pursuit

IRELAND:THE CHANCES of Pat Fenlon managing Dundee United through the second half of the Scottish season effectively ended last night when the SPL outfit formally ended their pursuit of the Dubliner after failing to agree compensation with Bohemians for his release.

Fenlon could not be contacted last night but he is believed to be deeply disappointed at being prevented from making a switch he had become increasingly set on.

The Scots are now expected to approach veteran coach Archie Knox, the assistant manager at Motherwell and a United player back in the 1970s, about taking over until the summer.

Around Dalymount Park there will be considerable relief that his services have been retained but some concern too the talented 40-year-old might feel inclined to simply walk out on the club.

During the week-long saga it became clear bonus payments due to Fenlon under the terms of his contract had not been paid on schedule and this could yet pave the way for his departure, although United have apparently made it clear they would not hire him in such circumstances.

Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson did suggest last night that if the circumstances were to change then he would review the situation. “But they would have to change pretty rapidly,” he said.

As things stand, Fenlon is due back to work next week with the club’s players returning for pre-season training a week later.

The collapse of the proposed move appears to have come about because the Scots refused, as had been expected, to go above an offer of around €100,000, with Bohemians determined not to settle for any less than twice that.

Both clubs issued statements late yesterday afternoon confirming the move was off, with United officials clearly suggesting the stance taken by their counterparts had been unreasonable.

“Dundee United has decided not to pursue any further interest in Pat Fenlon as team manager,” it read, “due to the excessive compensation demand made by his club and an unwillingness to reduce this. We now consider the matter at an end and will pursue other options.”

The League of Ireland champions subsequently issued a statement, confirming: “the breakdown today of negotiations with Dundee United on terms to allow team manager Pat Fenlon join Dundee United as manager”.

“Bohemian FC gave Dundee United permission on Tuesday, January 5th to talk to Pat Fenlon about joining them. Bohemians had wished to retain the services of Pat Fenlon, but did not want to prevent him taking up a deserved opportunity to manage a football team operating on a bigger stage.

“Bohemian FC indicated clearly to Dundee United that compensation would need to be paid. Discussions over the last 24 hours on compensation to be paid to Bohemian FC by Dundee United failed to produce a mutually satisfactory package.”