Alan Irvine admits he is still disappointed to have been sacked by West Bromwich Albion.
Irvine lost his job in December after a run of seven defeats from nine games left Albion perched near the bottom of the table.
Speaking about his departure for the first time he told Sky Sports how much he loved working at the Baggies.
“I’m still sore about it, but I understand that that’s the way that football can operate. Obviously I hoped to be given the time to change things around and influence things but I also understand that nowadays people look for instant results.
“I was very much expecting to go back in to work the next day and it came as a surprise. Not a total shock but as a surprise.
“One of the disappointing things was that I didn’t get the opportunity to go in and thank the players and thank the staff in person because it was felt, and understandably, that it might be better for me to go into the club and clear my office after everybody had gone and things were a bit quieter.
“I think some of the players feel that they let me down, which is something that a number of them have said to me, but they didn’t let me down. The players were great to work with, I certainly can’t blame the players, I don’t have any bitterness towards them.”
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