Lambert claiming unfair dismissal from Norwich

[VillaAlways]

By John PercyLast Updated: 10:38PM BST 04/10/2012
Paul Lambert's row with former club Norwich City escalated on Thursday night after he was accused of demanding £2 million for unfair dismissal.

Lambert is said to be taking Norwich to a tribunal after his acrimonious departure to Aston Villa with his old chairman, Alan Bowkett, insisting he is also demanding a significant fee for breach of contract.

Villa appointed Lambert in June but were adamant they did not need to pay compensation as the Scot had resigned before talks took place. Lambert had claimed that the terms of his deal enabled him to talk to any interested Premier League club but Norwich are determined to fight their corner.

Bowkett said at a fans forum on Thursday night: "The manner of Paul Lambert's departure is no surprise because he's walked out on every club he's ever managed.

"You can't complain because you know what you're getting but I felt he could have left in a more dignified manner."

Lambert will face his former club at Villa Park on October 27.

Villa were unavailable for comment on Thursday night.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aston-villa/9588366/Aston-Villa-manager-Paul-Lamberts-row-with-Norwich-City-escalates-over-2m-unfair-dismissal-demand.html

[PaulWinch again]

All sounds pretty unpleasant.

[Dave]

Rings a lot of Martin O'Neill-shaped bells.

[eamonn]

Just when the comparisons to Woody Allen's eccentric love child were beginning to die down.

[olaftab]

I wish he wasn't embroiled in this sort of mess as no doubt it will affect his focus on Villa job.

[Richard Richard]

Only in the world of football could a manager walk out on a club and then get £2m for unfair dismissal. I love the bloke and what he's trying to do here but I have sympathy with Norwich over this one.

[bilsim]

Devil's advocate but I reckon I might be a nasty bastard for 2million

[tomd2103]

Should add a bit more spice to our game against them in a couple of weeks.  They'll be coming to Villa Park with their pitchforks at the ready!!

[PeterWithesShin]

"Bowkett said at a fans forum on Thursday night: "The manner of Paul Lambert's departure is no surprise because he's walked out on every club he's ever managed."

Good job he was unemployed when Norwich hired him otherwise that would come across as petty. Oh wait ......

[Steve R]

If Lambert did indeed have a clause in his contract allowing him to talk to any PL club and Norwich reneged on it then they deserve all they get.

Slightly different to O'Neill.

[Summers]

Agree completely with the above comment. His contract said he could talk to other clubs, his bosses tried to stop him. They broke the terms of the deal, he has every right to do this.

[cheltenhamlion]

Its interesting how this story has surfaced with a game against them just round the corner isn't it.

[lovejoy]

Interested to hear what basis his claim is for given, on the surface it looks like he left them to join us once the opportunity arose. Then again we'll probably never find out.
The money floating round football these days is so bloated that £2m doesnt really hit the radar. crazy.

[themossman]

I've also walked out on every employer I've ever had except my current one. The shame.

[peter w]

Didn't he leave because of breach of contract? Plus its true that he isn't particularly popular with clubs he's managed and subsequently left.