Gus Poyet to take legal route after Brighton sacking

Gus Poyet has confirmed he will be taking Brighton to court over his sacking.

Poyet was suspended as Seagulls boss after their play-off semi-final defeat to Crystal Palace before being sacked for gross misconduct in June.

Brighton chairman Tony Bloom claimed Poyet, who joined the club in 2009, informed him in March that he wanted to leave the club at the end of last season.

The Uruguayan, who held preliminary talks with Reading in March to discuss the vacant manager’s position after Brian McDermott’s departure, was under contract until 2016.

Poyet said: “It’s not easy to explain because so many things went on. I think when you’re a manager you get disappointed to get the sack especially when you’re not expecting anything to happen to you and you are happy with the season you have had. From nowhere there comes a suspension, which for me and most managers is quite unusual. It doesn’t happen all the time.

“There are several reasons but unfortunately this will probably go to court. Because I totally disagree with every allegation and accusation the club has put on me. I will take action because I think it’s important for me. I’m quite confident and relaxed but I hope we will go to court because it is the best way for the truth to come out.

“I would like the club to focus on (new manager) Oscar (Garcia) because he deserves the support of everyone. You get disappointed with being sacked but I can live with it. But I think I deserve better respect and the way they sacked me when I was on TV was disrespectful and unfair.”