Dundee approached Robertson before asking Caley Thistle permission
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INVERNESS Caledonian Thistle have blasted Dundee for approaching John Robertson about its vacant manager's job without seeking permission from the club.
The club released a statement saying Robertson was directly approached by Dundee on Saturday night less than 24 hours after their Premiership play-off defeat at Dundee United.
Robertson notified Caley Thistle about the approach from Dundee which was described by the club as "entirely unwelcome."
Caley Thistle said they were not contacted by Dundee until Sunday afternoon and denied the Dens Park outfit permission to speak with the 54-year-old.
The statement said: "The club can confirm that manager John Robertson was directly approached by Dundee FC on Saturday evening.
"Within minutes of this approach, John notified the club and confirmed to our chief executive officer that he had no desire or intention to speak to Dundee FC about their vacant managerial position.
"He did not reply to, nor acknowledge this approach.
"To be 100 per cent clear, this approach from Dundee FC was entirely unsolicited and given that it was less than 24 hours after a draining Premiership play-off semi- final defeat, entirely unwelcome."
"The club itself was not formally contacted by Dundee FC until late Sunday afternoon, when a senior member of our club staff was spoken to by the DFC club secretary.
"Following this phone call, he received an e-mail formally asking for permission to speak to John with regards the vacant managerial position at Dens Park.
"The member of staff contacted our chief executive officer immediately, at which point and with knowledge of the previous day’s direct approach, he immediately contacted and denied DFC permission to have any further contact with our manager. "
Robertson is contracted as manager at Inverness Caledonian Thistle until the end of the 2020/21 season.
The statement said Robertson has the club's full backing to help them to success next season.
"John is here to build a promotion winning side, to hopefully oversee the transition of many our league winning Under 18 side of 2018/19 to first team players and to lead the club into our immediate, promising future.
"He has the full backing of our fans, players, staff and board of directors.
"Our improvement on the field over the past two seasons is down to the diligence, integrity and football intelligence of John and his staff."
