Contract has been broken – chairman

CHAIRMAN David Bloxham says Cheltenham Town did all they could to persuade assistant boss Adam Murray to stay at the club, writes Jon Palmer.

Murray, 42, has departed to become manager of National League South club Eastbourne, just two-and-a-half months after being appointed Robins boss Darrell Clarke’s number two.

Former AFC Fylde boss Murray was offered a large pay increase to remain at the Completely-Suzuki Stadium, but he eventually opted to depart for a return to frontline management.

“Darrell wanted Adam as his assistant, so we appointed him on terms with which he was very happy,” Bloxham said.

“On the day of the Reading game (December 29), Adam texted the gaffer and said he’d had an ‘unbelievable offer’ on terms that he couldn’t turn down.

“Darrell made it clear he wanted to keep Adam, so we offered him a 45 per cent increase in salary, along with a staying-up bonus, making him by far and away the highest-paid assistant manager we’ve ever had. He accepted the offer and was grateful.

“He went back to Eastbourne to say he wasn’t interested, but it’s my understanding that after sacking their manager, they went back to him and said ‘What do you want?’ and made him an offer that was not viable for us to compete with.”

Cheltenham were informed of Murray’s decision on Thursday.

“He said ‘Sorry, I am no longer prepared to accept your offer and I am going to Eastbourne’.” said Bloxham. “We have had no contact at all with Eastbourne, which is very disappointing.

“Adam has effectively broken a deal we agreed very recently and he has not gone in accordance with the terms of his contract.”

Unlike manager Clarke, Murray was not on a fixed, long-term contract, but there was a notice period required should he depart, which has not been served.

“There is a risk in putting an assistant manager on a fixed-term contract because if it doesn’t work out, it can be expensive,” Bloxham said.

“I am confident the club did everything it could to keep Adam, and while we are disappointed he’s decided to go in breach of contract, Darrell is brilliant. He manages situations so calmly, so I am confident that we have an excellent first team manager who will secure the services of an equally capable replacement.”

Cheltenham host League One leaders Portsmouth today.