Contractual Obligations

[ferricfoot]

Is it common for managers to leave a job to take a different job in the same league? Obviously I'm speaking of Souness' move to Newcastle and while I understand the new club holds greater prestige and chances for success, it brings the same disarray and confusion to Blackburn.

What is the force of a contract if people (managers like Souness and players who demand a transfer) can break that agreement freely and unilaterally?

Aren't there non-compete clauses? To go from an EPL club to an EPL club somehow seems wrong even you allow people to break their contracts. Let him go to Spain or France, at least this way, the old club doesn't have to face him.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

I don't really see any problem with it. People cannot break a contract unilaterally without punishment. They can say that they want a move, in which case they club can either keep them or sell them. Most clubs take the sensible option and let them go. However, there is nothing stopping a club from forcing a player to stay, even if they rot in the reserves! The other option is retiring, which most people won't do. If a player just quits, then Fifa regulations mean they get a ban from football for x time and usually a fine.

I am not that sure with managers. I suppose they can quit, but then I believe their club has some power in terms of not having to pay them any money and then pursuing them if they immediately join another club. Does anyone know about any manager regulations? :confused: