FORMER Premier League star Matthew Etherington has been pressured to step down from Colchester United as a result of a weird contract row with outdated membership Crawley City.
The U’s sacked Ben Garner after they had been crushed 2-1 at dwelling by Harrogate City on Saturday – their fourth-straight loss – which left them twenty third in League Two.
Matthew Etherington has been pressured to step down from Colchester UnitedCredit score: Rex
He was in control of earlier membership Crawley for simply three matchesCredit score: Rex
The ex-Tottenham and West Ham winger, 42, was named as interim boss on Monday and led them to victory over Grimsby in League Two the next day.
Etherington believed that he could be boss for the “foreseeable future” however he has now handed the reins over to assistant Scott Marshall for the journey to Accrington Stanley this afternoon.
An announcement from Colchester chairman Robbie Cowling confirmed that Crawley consider Etherington remains to be beneath contract with them till Could.
He stated: “Following a collection of cellphone calls and electronic mail exchanges with one of many homeowners of Crawley City, I’ve discovered myself able the place I need to request that Matty Etherington steps down from his interim head coach function for tomorrow’s sport towards Accrington Stanley.
“Crawley City have alerted Colchester United to their considerations that Matty could also be tempted to violate the contract he signed with Crawley when he initially accepted their managerial place in November 2022.
“At 3.34pm at the moment, (Friday twenty seventh October), I acquired a name from Eben Smith, who knowledgeable me that Crawley consider Matty remains to be certain by their contract till Could 2024. Consequently, if Matty manages any of Colchester’s video games, a buy-out charge could be owed to Crawley.”
Cowling added: “Personally I don’t agree with the Crawley place however on condition that we’ve got lower than twenty 4 hours earlier than the sport towards Accrington, which is 250 miles away, I requested Crawley’s permission for Matty to steer the group for this particular match whereas we search authorized counsel relating to the contract.
“Sadly, this request was denied. Because of this, Matty Etherington has been requested to step down, and Scott Marshall will now take cost of the sport tomorrow.
“Hopefully, we are able to search the authorized recommendation we want and kind the matter out with Crawley early subsequent week.”
Etherington, who was appointed Below-21 lead coach at Colchester in June, hit the headlines in December when he was sacked by Crawley City after simply three video games in his first managerial job.
He named former Peterborough and Tottenham teammate Simon Davies as his assistant on November 27, 2022 and went on to beat Swindon City 2-0 in his opening match.
A 2-0 dwelling defeat to Hartlepool adopted on December 9 earlier than one other setback on dwelling turf adopted on Boxing Day as they had been downed 2-1 by Sutton earlier than he was axed.
Etherington retired from taking part in in 2014 after a powerful taking part in profession with Peterborough, Spurs, Bradford, West Ham and Stoke Metropolis.
The ex-England U21 winger battled a playing habit whereas on the Hammers, with the membership lending him £300,000, after he accrued large money owed.
Etherington additionally frolicked at Tony Adams’ Sporting Probability Clinic.
He started his teaching profession in control of Peterborough’s U18s in 2018. Etherington was then promoted to assistant supervisor of the first-team in November 2021.
He even had a one-game foray as interim boss earlier than returning to his No.2 place beneath Grant McCann earlier than then taking the leap and making his ill-fated swap to Crawley.
Matthew Etherington starred for West Ham within the Premier LeagueCredit score: PA