Sacked soccer boss accepts pay-off

Gudjon Thordarson guided Stoke to promotion

Stoke City's sacked manager has accepted a £37,500 out-of-court settlement.

Gudjon Thordarson accepted the payout from the First Division club prior to the start of an employment tribunal where he was claiming unfair dismissal.

The former Iceland national team boss was dismissed five days after guiding the Potters to promotion via the Division Two play-offs.

Mr Thordarson had claimed £100,000 in compensation ahead of the tribunal, which had been due to begin in Shrewsbury.

Satisfactory conclusion

A Stoke City spokesman said: "We can announce that the club has reached an amicable settlement with the former manager Gudjon Thordarson following his departure from the club in May 2002.

"The club will pay a total sum of £37,500 in settlement of Mr Thordarson's claims and is pleased to bring this matter to a satisfactory conclusion.

"No further statements will be made by the club."

Stoke's chairman, Gunnar Gislason, said previously that the decision not to renew the contract had been taken because of the poor relationship between the former manager and the board.

Stoke, who reached the fifth round of the FA Cup with a weekend victory over Bournemouth, are now managed by Tony Pulis.