City officials are planning an appeal, believing Royle has been rewarded twice for failure, the current Ipswich boss having initially received the £150,000 (€224,000) which club bosses believed he was entitled to at the time of his departure.

Royle has wasted no time in lambasting the City board.

“It is sad to say, but I am afraid the only class at City is on the terraces,” he told the Manchester Evening News.

“I am extremely upset at the scandalous claims made against me. There was never a drinking culture during my time at the club.”

Royle also hit out at the courtroom revelation that current managing director Alastair Mackintosh telephoned the Premier League within hours of City’s final game to determine whether the club were officially relegated.

“They were trying to get themselves relegated on the Sunday so they could sack me on the Monday,” he said.

“Believe it or not, getting this money was not my primary concern. My primary concern was to get vindication.

“I am pleased the case is over and I feel vindicated but it should never have gone to court.”

City will take a few days to consider their options but they feel aggrieved at the verdict and angered by Royle’s criticism, which drew a pointed response from communications officer Paul Tyrrell, who referred specifically to the improvements that have been made at City since the point Royle left.

“We will not get involved in a slanging match with Mr Royle,” said Tyrrell.

“Our focus is on continuing the progress the club has made on and off the field over the last three seasons.”