Adelaide settle Coolen dispute

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Adelaide United have settled their dispute with former coach Rini Coolen, paying the Dutchman $400,000 plus costs to end their civil dispute.

Coolen had been seeking $2.2 million from the Reds, claiming he had been denied that amount in salary, benefits and bonuses when he was stood down as club coach in December 2011.

Coolen had signed a five-year contract just 13 months before his demotion to head of youth development, having led United to five defeats in the opening 11 matches of the 2011-12 A-League season.

He left the Reds just days after, but had argued they had 'broken promises' when his civil trial against the Reds began last Monday.

But a drawn-out case has been avoided, with United announcing on Monday they had settled with the 45-year-old, who has not coached since.

"Adelaide United FC is pleased to confirm that it has reached a financial settlement of the claim brought against it by Rini Coolen," a club statement read.

"The club has agreed to pay Mr Coolen the sum of $400,000 plus costs. The amount the club has agreed to pay is significantly less than the claim formulated by Mr Coolen of $2.2 million plus costs.

"The club wishes to place on the record its thanks to the legal team that worked so tirelessly to achieve this result ... the club will now focus on what has been to date an entertaining A-League season."

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