Bohs seek compensation for Fenlon

Bohemians tonight insisted that Pat Fenlon remained their manager despite claims he has agreed a deal to take over as Dundee United boss.

Fenlon set off back to Dublin today following talks with United chairman Stephen Thompson at Tannadice on Wednesday.

Bohemians received a fax from the Clydesdale Bank Premier League club on Tuesday seeking permission to speak to Fenlon, who has won the last five League of Ireland titles with Bohs and Shelbourne.

And, although they granted permission, they maintain they did so subject to a suitable compensation agreement being struck.

Reports today claimed that unpaid bonuses meant Fenlon was entitled to leave his Bohemians contract, which has three years left to run, without the Dublin club being compensated.

But Gerry Conway, honorary secretary of the League of Ireland champions, refuted those suggestions.

“Bohemians Football Club is entitled to compensation, that’s the bottom line,” Conway said.

“Anybody who says otherwise or leaks things to the media suggesting that is being mischievous.”

Conway, who hopes to meet 40-year-old Fenlon in the next 24 hours, added: “The position is the same as it was two days ago.

“We have had no approach from Dundee United, so Pat is our manager. We’ve had no phonecall, no fax, no email.

“I spoke to him this morning, he was on his way to the airport.

“But the weather is very bad. When one inch of snow falls in this city it comes to a standstill.

“We have had three or four inches, so it’s difficult to get together. I can’t really get out my drive.

“The plan is to get together tonight but the weather may prevent that, but we can always meet him tomorrow morning.

“But whether we meet him or not, the position is that Pat remains our manager without a compensation deal being agreed. Pat knows that and I have told him that.”

Conway has accused United of treating Bohemians with disrespect by failing to follow up their initial fax.

“I was surprised on Tuesday and Wednesday and I’m both surprised and disappointed today that we still haven’t had a phonecall,” Conway added. “I don’t know why they haven’t made contact.”

Thompson recently accused the Scottish Football Association of treating his club “shabbily” for failing to send a compensation offer when Craig Levein agreed to leave United and take over as Scotland manager.

But the Tannadice chairman has defended his club’s conduct towards Bohemians.

“Dundee United have acted properly throughout our search for a new manager,” Thompson told the Dundee Evening Telegraph.

“We approached Bohemians for permission to speak to Pat Fenlon and only did so once they had faxed that permission.

“I would add, when they gave permission for us to speak to him, they did so without any pre-conditions.”