GARRY MONK has slammed Pep Clotet for “the character he is” in a cutting war of words with his former assistant.
The Sheffield Wednesday manager was in charge at Birmingham until the summer, where he was sacked in acrimonious circumstances.
Monk has led Wednesday to ninth in the tableCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Blues boss Clotet has only previously taken charge of OxfordCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Accompanying Monk at St Andrews, as well as during spells at Swansea and Leeds, was Clotet.
The Spaniard took over as caretaker head coach when the ex-defender left with the majority of the backroom staff staying ever since.
Numerous rumours floated around regarding Monk’s dismissal with Birmingham stating their desire for “a fresh and modern footballing philosophy”.
Now in charge at Hillsbrough and facing Birmingham on Wednesday, the 40-year-old has admitted to regretting ever hiring Clotet.
Monk told reporters: “I don’t speak with him.
“What’s most important to me is when I’m assembling a staff around me and to work with me the key thing is to give them an opportunity and show them complete trust, and you hope that they repay that trust. Sadly not everyone has that character.
“Some choose to pursue their own opportunities in the worst possible way. The most important bit for me is you live and you learn.
“Unfortunately for me, I didn’t listen to a lot of people in football circles who warned me about the character he is.
“That’s an error of judgement from myself but it’s a mistake I won’t be making in the future.
“I don’t want to waste any more energy on it.”
Clotet has refused to comment on his former boss’ attack, the Spaniard having guided the Blues to 15th in the Championship table.
And Monk admits he is still hurt by the manner of his sacking after 15 months of generally overachieving at the club.
He added: “Decisions were made, whether you agree or not and you move on.
“It hurt me to leave the club at that time after we feel we did a very good job.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
