Curbishley "absolutely gutted" about West Ham exit
Curbishley says leaving West Ham was an "agonising" decision
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Wednesday, 03, Sep 2008 10:50
Manager Alan Curbishley says he is "absolutely gutted" to have had to come to the decision to quit West Ham United.
Curbishley says he was left with little option and could not silently sit and do nothing while the club sold players against his wishes.
The former Charlton manager felt things had been resolved with chief executive Scott Duxbury on Sunday only for the board to sell defender George McCartney to Sunderland on Monday.
Curbishley wanted to bring players in on-loan but was denied the chance so opted to stick with the squad he had. Once that was diminished further by the sale of McCartney Curbishley said he had to leave.
"It was a culmination of events over the weekend," he told Sky Sports News.
"I was vehemently against the transfer of McCartney because of the injuries to other defenders."
Curbishley added: "On Sunday morning I went into a meeting at Upton Park with Scott Duxbury to discuss perhaps hoping to bring some loans in.
"I was told I wouldn't be in that position unless someone left the club. Straight away I said 'let's all go home then. I don't want anyone to leave. I am quite happy we just get on with it as we are'."
Curbishley said the 4-1 win over Blackburn Rovers showed him how good the team could have been with a couple of extra players but said the actions of the board weighed too heavily on him on Monday.
He said: "It's been an agonising couple of days. Some managers may not have taken this action, but I could not sit around and be silent on it.
"I am absolutely gutted I have had to come to this decision."
Following Curbishley's departure the Hammers have appointed former first-team coach Kevin Keen as caretaker boss.
A statement from the club added: "The process to find a replacement for Alan Curbishley is already under way with the club beginning to draw up an initial shortlist of potential candidates."
Keen will take charge of all first-team matters until Curbishley's replacement is appointed.