Alan Curbishley has won his case for wrongful dismissal against West Ham, the League Managers’ Association have announced.

Curbishley quit the Hammers at the start of the 2008/09 season and launched his case after which the club launched a counter-claim relating to the cost of employing his successor Gianfranco Zola and his assistant Steve Clarke. The counter-claim has proved unsuccessful.

Richard Bevan, chief executive of the League Managers’ Association, said the outcome demonstrated the need for clubs to respect contracts.

Bevan said: “Naturally we are delighted with the outcome for Alan but, at the same time, sorry that he wasn’t able to continue at West Ham United, a club that has played such a prominent part in his professional career both as a player and manager.

“The findings of the tribunal demonstrate the critical importance of respecting contracts which need to set out the roles and responsibilities of the parties in clear and unequivocal terms.”