Hegarty still in the dark over shock suspension

Apr 30 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

Stunned Hegarty says he is still in the dark over his shock suspension as management remain tight-lipped

PAUL Hegarty insists he is still in the dark about the reasons for his shock suspension by Livingston Football Club.

The former Dundee United boss was suspended by the club along with assistant Graeme Robertson on Saturday night in an announcement from chairman Angelo Massone.

The pair were then turned away from Almondvale when they reported for work on Monday morning.

And Hegarty, who only signed an 18-month deal to take over in December, admits he is dumbfounded as to what has brought on this action.

He said: “I came in on Monday morning to try and do my job but I was turned away. I don’t know why this has all happened but once I am told I will let the public know.

“The players have been great and the backroom staff have been smashing but I’m stunned at what has happened.

“I’m afraid I can’t really comment on something which I don’t understand. I have never had a written or a verbal warning of any kind so until I’m told myself why this has happened I’m afraid I can’t comment.”

Director of football David Hay has been placed in caretaker charge but only returned from America yesterday (Wednesday) leaving the club without a manager for half of the week.

Hay is the fourth Livingston boss in less than a year and the club have revealed that his position as interim manager will be reviewed over the summer, with a view to a possible permanent appointment.

It has been a season of turmoil in West Lothian as the Lions have lurched from one crisis to another.

Livingston chairman Angelo Massone has been asked to attend a meeting with SFL chiefs at Hampden Park on May 7 to discuss the repeated late payment of wages.

But the SFL will not intervene in the suspension of manager Hegarty and Robertson.

SFL chief executive David Longmuir said: “We have written to the club highlighting communications we've received relating to late wages.

"Our next management committee meeting is on May 7, and we wrote to the club asking them to tell us in advance of that meeting to bring us up to date.

"We informed the club they could advise us in writing, and we also invited them to come and talk to us about the matter."

But the SFL cannot intervene in the suspension of the managerial team with Longmuir adding: “A manager is different — we have no contract with managers, therefore we don't have any control over their situation.”

Livingston refused to comment.