The Killers 'sue former manager'

The Killers have headlined at festivals around the world

Rock group The Killers are countersuing their former manager Braden Merrick, claiming he lost them millions of dollars, reports Billboard magazine.

The US music weekly says it obtained a copy of a legal statement alleging the "bungling of merchandising and promotional opportunities".

In 2006 Mr Merrick filed a case against the band and their current manager.

He claimed they sacked him illegally and owed him royalties. Both cases are awaiting a court ruling.

Mr Merrick had a contract with the band until 2007 but was fired in May 2005.

The two parties had been negotiating a settlement before Mr Merrick launched his legal action.

The Killers responded by filing a petition in California, seeking to end their contract with Mr Merrick and get money back from him.

They claimed their ex-manager had broken labour laws by finding work for them without having a talent agent licence.

But Mr Merrick's lawyer, Howard King, called the attempt to end the contract a "scheme" to give the band a "$10,000,000 windfall".

"Once Merrick delivered fame and fortune to the band, he obviously became a financial liability," he told Billboard.

The Killers' debut album, Hot Fuss, was released in 2004 and was a multi-platinum hit in the US as well as a UK number one.

Subsequent albums Sam's Town (2006) and Day & Age (2008), also topped the UK charts.

The band's latest legal claim was filed in a Las Vegas federal court.

According to Billboard, the group are claiming "multi-million-dollar damages in missed concerts and lost touring revenues, and via the bungling of merchandising and promotional opportunities".