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Dean Austin is reportedly considering taking legal action after photos of his private WhatsApp conversations with Coventry City boss Mark Robins circulated online.
Austin, the Sky Blues’ head of recruitment, scouted upcoming Championship opponents Watford as they drew 1-1 with Swansea City at Vicarage Road on Wednesday.
A fan sat a few rows behind Austin, took pictures of messages on his phone and published them on X, formerly Twitter, after the game.
The messages – exchanged with Robins and separately with football agent Rob Segal – discussed Watford’s performances and the future of their manager Valerien Ismael.
Athletics reports this both Austin and Segal believe their privacy has been violated and are considering legal action.
Coventry City’s head of recruitment Dean Austin is reportedly considering legal action after photos of private WhatsApp conversations of him watching the Watford game were circulated on social media.
Austin spoke to Coventry manager Mark Robins on WhatsApp about Watford’s display
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Under UK law, individuals have the right to privacy and protection of their personal data. Sharing private messages in this way could breach their privacy rights and data protection principles.
The reports appeared to suggest that Robins was following the match on television after Coventry beat Rotherham 5-0 on Tuesday evening. Watford hosts Coventry on Saturday afternoon.
The Hornets fell behind against Swansea to an embarrassing own goal after a mix-up between goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann and right back Ryan Andrews, who headed into an empty net.
Ryan Porteous scored in the second half to earn Watford a point, but with the team 13th in the Championship and just seven points above the relegation places, Ismael is under pressure.
Coventry, meanwhile, are just three points off the Championship play-off places.
Former Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace defender Austin, 53, previously worked for Watford as assistant coach to Slavisa Jokanovic in 2014/15 and then under his successor Quique Sánchez Flores the following season.
Austin is also a former teammate of Ismael from their playing days at Palace.
Ryan Andrews is consoled after breaking his own net to give Swansea the lead
Watford manager Valerien Ismael is under pressure with the Hornets in thirteenth place
Ismael said after the draw: ‘We have changed a number of players. We changed the way we played in the first half. We have changed a lot of things around the training ground and the schedule to make sure the players are aware of the situation.
‘It was difficult at half-time, but we just said we had to stay in the game. We only need one goal.
“It’s clearly a mental issue at the moment. We work on it together with the players, but sometimes it takes time. We need that trust.
“The best way to heal is to win a game. We now have the chance on Saturday. “We’re just focusing on that game and we’re going again.”