Former City boss Bryan Gunn admitted today that his Carrow Road exit has a left a bitter taste in the mouth, as he spoke in public for the first time since his sacking.
Speaking on Sky Sports' Soccer Extra programme, the Canary legend was honest and dignified about the events surrounding his dismissal on August 14th.
And while he hopes it won't sour his relationship with the Norfolk club, he revealed that two weeks on, it still hurt.
It was that 7-1 embarrassment on the opening day of the season that signalled the beginning of the end for the Scot.
And though they bounced back three days later in the Carling Cup at Yeovil, he was given his marching orders that Friday, on the eve of that League One encounter with Exeter.
“The fact I was backed throughout the summer, with the signings that we made, means there is still a bitter taste in the mouth,” said Gunn.
“I still feel like I could have done a good job there, with the squad and the coaching staff that we had. But it's not to be.
“I didn't expect it to happen so soon. I felt I'd been given the backing from the board and that myself and the coaching staff were the right people for the job.”
Gunn conceded that it was the Colchester shocker that made the board's mind up, but chief executive David McNally has since admitted that they looked at the whole of Gunn's tenure when making the decision.
And after a decent pre-season, with some solid signings and good form on the pitch, optimism was high going into that August 8th curtain-raiser.
But we all know what happened next…
“I didn't see it coming, obviously,” he continued. “We had a big build up to a home game and a sell-out crowd at Carrow Road.
“We had an opportunity to put it right in the next game against Yeovil, which we did � winning 4-0. But obviously the damage was already done.
“I was told my departure was down to the 7-1 defeat but press interviews afterwards have gone back to the previous seven months as well. But I don't think the 7-1 result helped.”
It certainly came as a shock when Gunn and the Canaries parted company, not in terms of his actual departure, but the timing of it.
If the axe had fallen on the day after that opening day disaster, then you could understand. But to do it three days after an emphatic win, and the afternoon before an important League One clash, was strange to say the least.
And Gunn revealed the timeline of events on that fateful day in the west country…
“They had a board meeting on the Thursday and then David McNally came down to Exeter the next day as we were staying down there.
“We named the team in the morning, went through our set plays and then at 3pm I was told my services were no longer required.
“I'm still in discussions with the club about the settlement terms and it's the first time I've had a situation like this.
“They're good people at the club though and I'm led to believe I'll always be welcome back. But two weeks on, there is still a little bit of a bitter taste.”
But despite the fact he's still hurting, Gunn is determined to look to the future. After all, he's had much bigger setbacks than this.
And when the dust settles, I'm sure it won't be too long before we see him in and around Carrow Road on matchday – whether that be in the stands or otherwise.
“It's done and dusted now, I've got to look forward and I'm sure that Norwich will do well. The quality of signings that were made in the summer made me think that it would make us competitive in League One.
“They've won two league games now and drawn another so they have points on the board. They'll probably be challenging at the top end of the division.”
And the man that is now at the City helm was of course the same person who, in effect, signed his death warrant as Canary boss.
They say football's a funny old game…
“Yes, it's ironic. It's a strange one. But Paul's a good manager and I'm sure he'll do very well. He's got his own style and he'll do it his way; just like I was trying to do it my way.
“Like I said, I'm a positive person so I'm going to be looking forward to seeing what else is on the horizon.
“Life goes on, the golf handicap is getting better, I've got some charity work to do in Norwich with the Leukaemia appeal and the garden has a few weeds in it as well. But I'd like to stay in football, obviously.”
Tom Haylett
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