Dumped Sydney FC chief executive Dirk Melton has strongly denied allegations of unacceptable behaviour when managing staff and is considering legal action after being sacked by the A-League club.
In the latest crisis to hit the A-League, the club’s board terminated Melton’s contract on Monday, saying its decision followed an investigation into staff complaints.
“The unanimous decision of the board follows a number of formal complaints of a serious nature by employees which were investigated and revealed behaviour in Mr Melton’s management of staff which was completely unacceptable,” a club statement said.
The board acknowledged Melton’s role in setting the club on a path to achieve its strategic long-term goals.
“However, the board determined that Mr Melton’s behaviour towards staff was inconsistent with his obligations and could not be tolerated by the board.”
Neither the club nor Melton would comment on the exact nature of the allegations but the axed CEO was adamant he’d done nothing wrong.
“I will not be commenting on the circumstances that have purportedly given rise to the board’s decision other than to deny strenuously any allegations that have been made against me suggesting that I have engaged in unacceptable management of staff or any other form of inappropriate behaviour,” said Melton in a statement.
“I believe my excellent relationships with the vast majority of Sydney FC’s staff speak for themselves.”
The club has appointed seasoned football administrator Stefan Kamasz as acting chief executive officer while it searches for its seventh CEO in seven seasons.
It’s a further complication for a club which is without a major sponsor and searching for a new coach after the decision to cut ties with Vitezslav Lavicka at the end of the current season.
And it’s a further drama for Football Federation Australia and the A-League, with the dust yet to settle over last week’s FFA decision to strip mining magnate Clive Palmer of his Gold Coast United A-League licence.
Melton, who only became chief executive in June last year, said via his Twitter account he was disappointed to depart Sydney under such circumstances.
“I’m sad it has ended like this. I wish the @SydneyFC team and staff all the best,” Melton tweeted.
“Tough day. Tough job! Thanks to all those who have sent well wishes. I gave my all at @SydneyFC and I’m proud of what was achieved.”
Ross
Guest
Go Kimon!
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
If you read a recent SMH report he has made it very clear in the press he is more than interested in taking over the job immediately..
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
OK Futbanous, what I should have said is: it will be a great club the day Frank Lowy resigns as part owner and board member. I now have come to the conclusion he is holding this potential great club back. He sacked the first CEO Andy Harper from taking this potential great club to where it should be. Also revoked the licences of two other potential great clubs and has been such a dismal failure as chairman of a potential great FFA organisation, when he made it impossible for exCEO John O'Neil to perform his duties properly at the FFA, which could have been the greatest of all football organisation. I now firmly believe it's Frank Lowy who is preventing this code of ours being the greatest code of all in Australia. Time to leave Frank, and let younger and men with real football knowledge to take the reins. :)
apaway
Roar Guru
Kimon has just moved back to Melbourne. Heck of a commute for a job proving to be so unstable!
Futbanous
Guest
QsAF Don't know much about Melton really or his handling of staff or the staff themselves at SFC. Thats as you say for the board to know & sort out. What I do know is that applying the word great to the club is more a dream than reality. They should be great no argument there given that Football is bigger in Sydney than any other city by far. Sure they've won 2 Championships,Premierships one I think,but they still for me haven't really connected to Sydneys Football community. For me Kimon is the real deal a man with administrative skills who is a football man(provided he becomes CEO). They now also have Gary Cole as Football Director. Would seem to me that a Football director with experience & CEO with administrative skills & both with strong football backgrounds is a winner. On paper anyway I still believe this club should be the equal of Melbourne Victory in terms of support. Anything less in my book is a failure & will continue to be so until achieved. Others disagree ,I know,thats their prerogative.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
If a club has 7 CEOs in 7 years and it is because of the back room staff's complaints made against the CEO, which ends up with the CEO resigning or being sacked---then maybe it's time someone at the SFC board level should look at the performance of the back room staff, to see if there's a real problem there. Maybe it's the backroom staff, which is holding this great club back, from winning another championship. Just throwing it out there for next CEO Kimon Taliadoros---saving him from being the next casualty.
Clayts
Guest
C'mon guys, someone on here must know what he did!
Titus
Guest
If the board came to a unanimous decision, despite most people being satisfied with Dirk's performance, then we can assume that the board had little choice. I was pretty pleased with Dirk's performance but some of his engagement letters seemed a little bizarre at times, so in a way I am not suprised. I think if Sydney make the right appointment and assemble a good team on the field with the right coach, then there should be no damage from this.
whiskeymac
Guest
the more things change the more they are the same.... sfc and chelski back in for managers and backroom shuffles.