Johnny Crumplin Football
New member
Got to admit I loved this guy and really feel for him. Hope he does well in the future.
RUSSELL Slade is “absolutely gutted” to no longer be Albion’s manager.
He believes he deserved more time and thinks his successor will have “a marvellous opportunity” to take the club forward.
Slade’s fate was sealed by Albion's latest failure to win at home against Hartlepool.
Chairman Tony Bloom called an emergency Board meeting after Saturday's game and, following an hour-long discussion, it was agreed unanimously that Slade should be sacked.
He received a phone call from the chairman on Saturday night and they met yesterday morning, when his departure was confirmed just five months into a two-year contract.
Bloom and managing director Ken Brown then met Slade’s assistant Dean White and coach Bob Booker to tell them they were going too.
The triple sacking was announced by the club in a statement yesterday afternoon.
Slade said: “I think in football it’s all about time. You have to ask whether 15 games is enough.
“I just felt as if I was part way through a process which wasn’t finished and which, despite the league position, was going in the right direction.
“I’m absolutely gutted. The chairman has been very supportive. I cannot knock the chairman in supporting me in trying to build a team.
“The thing is my mindset was not setting out to build a team just for now. That is why I signed the likes of Bennett, whose 20, Tunnicliffe whose 20, and even Dickinson, whose only 23 and still learning the game.
“I was building not for the short-term but more for the long term.”
Slade earned a permanent crack at the job by rescuing Albion from relegation last season after succeeding Micky Adams.
His brief was to take Albion into the Championship within two seasons, ready for the move to Falmer.
His revamped squad have managed only three wins in 15 games and he leaves them just above the League One relegation zone.
Where has it gone wrong? “I think that is quite clear really,” he said. “In both boxes we haven’t done well, particularly defensively.
“Tight games have got away from us because we have not defended well enough. At some stage you have to ask whether defensively the team is good enough.
“I think I have done a lot of the dirty work. We lost 17 or 18 players in the summer. It won’t be anything like that next summer.
“Changes still need to be made on an ongoing basis and, with two or three more players, it could be a different ball game.
“I think they will have a great chance, it’s a marvellous opportunity for somebody now.”
Slade remained popular with a lot of supporters right to the end.
There were boos at half-time against Hartlepool and at the final whistle after Albion lost at home to Oldham the week before but the flak in both instances was aimed more at other members of his staff and the players than him.
“I want to thank the fans,” he said. “They have been terrific from day one. In defeat as well they have been right behind me and I will always have fond memories of what they have done.”
Tellingly, he added: “The majority of the staff have also been right behind me.
“It’s time to draw breath but I love the game. It won’t discourage me from getting another job. I still believe I have a lot to offer.
“It’s never easy when you move on. I really believed there was a chance of doing something here. Of course things are not right yet and there are loads of things to do but at least I knew that and I can pinpoint exactly what is required.
“From that point of view it is quite satisfying. It gives somebody a wonderful chance.”
RUSSELL Slade is “absolutely gutted” to no longer be Albion’s manager.
He believes he deserved more time and thinks his successor will have “a marvellous opportunity” to take the club forward.
Slade’s fate was sealed by Albion's latest failure to win at home against Hartlepool.
Chairman Tony Bloom called an emergency Board meeting after Saturday's game and, following an hour-long discussion, it was agreed unanimously that Slade should be sacked.
He received a phone call from the chairman on Saturday night and they met yesterday morning, when his departure was confirmed just five months into a two-year contract.
Bloom and managing director Ken Brown then met Slade’s assistant Dean White and coach Bob Booker to tell them they were going too.
The triple sacking was announced by the club in a statement yesterday afternoon.
Slade said: “I think in football it’s all about time. You have to ask whether 15 games is enough.
“I just felt as if I was part way through a process which wasn’t finished and which, despite the league position, was going in the right direction.
“I’m absolutely gutted. The chairman has been very supportive. I cannot knock the chairman in supporting me in trying to build a team.
“The thing is my mindset was not setting out to build a team just for now. That is why I signed the likes of Bennett, whose 20, Tunnicliffe whose 20, and even Dickinson, whose only 23 and still learning the game.
“I was building not for the short-term but more for the long term.”
Slade earned a permanent crack at the job by rescuing Albion from relegation last season after succeeding Micky Adams.
His brief was to take Albion into the Championship within two seasons, ready for the move to Falmer.
His revamped squad have managed only three wins in 15 games and he leaves them just above the League One relegation zone.
Where has it gone wrong? “I think that is quite clear really,” he said. “In both boxes we haven’t done well, particularly defensively.
“Tight games have got away from us because we have not defended well enough. At some stage you have to ask whether defensively the team is good enough.
“I think I have done a lot of the dirty work. We lost 17 or 18 players in the summer. It won’t be anything like that next summer.
“Changes still need to be made on an ongoing basis and, with two or three more players, it could be a different ball game.
“I think they will have a great chance, it’s a marvellous opportunity for somebody now.”
Slade remained popular with a lot of supporters right to the end.
There were boos at half-time against Hartlepool and at the final whistle after Albion lost at home to Oldham the week before but the flak in both instances was aimed more at other members of his staff and the players than him.
“I want to thank the fans,” he said. “They have been terrific from day one. In defeat as well they have been right behind me and I will always have fond memories of what they have done.”
Tellingly, he added: “The majority of the staff have also been right behind me.
“It’s time to draw breath but I love the game. It won’t discourage me from getting another job. I still believe I have a lot to offer.
“It’s never easy when you move on. I really believed there was a chance of doing something here. Of course things are not right yet and there are loads of things to do but at least I knew that and I can pinpoint exactly what is required.
“From that point of view it is quite satisfying. It gives somebody a wonderful chance.”
