Clark seeks compensation after sacking by Hearts

RAY HEPBURN

21 Jun 1994

SANDY Clark was last night taking legal advice over compensation, after he had been sacked as manager by the new Hearts' board following their first meeting at Tynecastle yesterday.

New owners Chris Robinson and Leslie Deans took over from outgoing chairman Wallace Mercer last Friday in a £2.1m package spread over the next seven years.

And their first task was to dismiss the former West Ham, Airdrie and Rangers striker, together with his assistant manager Hugh McCann, formerly manager of Alloa.

"I'm very disappointed and I have consulted my lawyers," commented Clark, who last night was attending Hearts midfield player John Millar's wedding.

In a brief statement Robinson thanked Clark for his services, both as a player and manager, and suggested that they might be in a position to name a successor soon.

Last night it emerged that the Falkirk manager Jim Jefferies was leading candidate to return to the club he served as a player before moving into management, first with Berwick Rangers and then Falkirk.

Clark had a torrid first season as a premier division manager after being appointed in May last year to succeed Joe Jordan after the Edinburgh team had finished the final few weeks of the 1992/93 season with a string of defeats.

And, after slipping dangerously close to the relegation area through the mid-winter spell, the young manager led a recovery which eventually earned a mid-table position.

Ironically, in the last few weeks of his employment with Hearts his former employer Mercer had heaped praise on him after his first season.

"Sandy reduced the wage bill at Tynecastle by £6000 a week and through his transfer dealings we have reduced our borrowings by £1m," said Mercer.

Hearts lost only three of their final 24 games of last season and, despite having a difficult time in that middle segment of the league programme, have registered record season ticket sales this summer and can reflect on an increased average attendance for the season.

Last night club captain Craig Levein, a team mate of Clark's during Alex MacDonald's reign in charge during the eighties, praised the departing manager's performance and sent personal thanks for his efforts.

He said: "I would like to thank Sandy for everything he's done for me over the years.

"I have always had a lot of respect for him and hope he finds something in the game soon.

"But, inevitably, when a new board takes over they have their own ideas and will be looking to make a fresh start."

As well as Jefferies, Robinson and Deans will also be considering former Motherwell manager Tommy McLean, who is currently on holiday after resigning from Fir Park last Friday.

Meanwhile, Celtic chief executive Fergus McCann denied claims that the Glasgow club have made Kenny Dalglish an offer to become manager.

Reports from the United States suggest Blackburn manager Dalglish is thinking over a deal worth £250,000 a year and includes a place on the Parkhead board.

McCann said: "There is no truth in that whatsoever.

I have made no offer to any manager.

"Nothing has been done at this point, although several people are coming into my mind from various directions.

"It will take some time, although I hope a new man can be found in a matter of weeks rather than months."

Kilmarnock manager Tommy Burns -- like Dalglish a former Celtic player -- has also been linked with the Parkhead job, following the departure of Lou Macari last week.

Taken from the Herald