Barnsley claim they dismissed new Hearts manager Daniel Stendel for speaking to another English Championship club earlier this year.
The South Yorkshire outfit are to take legal action against the Jambos, who appointed Stendel as their new boss on a two-and-a-half-year deal on Saturday, in order to get compensation they insist they are due.
Stendel was relieved of his duties in October and have since replaced him with compatriot Gerhard Struber.
The Tykes claim that he still as a valid contract with them that runs until the end of the current season, meaning any club that employs him will have to pay up.
However, Stendel, his representatives and Hearts are confident that they aren’t required to pay Barnsley a penny.
And it has now been revealed that Stendel was given his marching orders by his former club due to entering negotiations with another club in the same division without permission.
A statement on the club’s website read: "In light of the team’s current standing we would like to address the Barnsley football community. The Board is fully behind the team and staff in place. Our performances have improved under Gerhard’s leadership and we are confident that results will follow.
"Barnsley Football Club would also like to finally address the separation with our former head coach Daniel Stendel. This may come as little consolation but it is only right that our supporters have a picture of what has taken place at their club.
"Early in the season, Daniel Stendel entered into negotiations with a rival Sky Bet Championship club, to take over their managerial post and recruited other members of contracted Barnsley Football Club staff to follow him. Never once did Mr. Stendel seek approval or alert members of the club’s board to these discussions.
"Only when approached, by the board, was there any sign of acknowledgement. This was a clear violation of Mr Stendel’s contract and created additional unnecessary distractions for our club, which was recently promoted to the Sky Bet Championship.
"This event, coupled with numerous other issues, led to removal of Mr Stendel as head coach. Out of respect for his contributions to the tremendous 2018/2019 season, we wanted to settle this matter privately and amicably out of the eye of the public.
"After two months of unproductive discussions (and the subsequent public announcement by Heart of Midlothian that he has joined them as their new manager), the club cannot wait any longer in speaking to its fans.
"More recently, we have attempted negotiations of a settlement with Heart of Midlothian Football Club for the services of Mr Stendel, Chris Stern, and Dale Tonge to no avail.
"The club will continue to vigorously defend its rights against all parties involved in tampering of club staff so the club recovers all damages incurred. All recovered damages will be reinvested in our squad."
Stendel will take charge of Hearts for the first time on Saturday for their Scottish Premiership clash against St Johnstone at Tynecastle.
