Harry Redknapp has said his departure as West Ham manager came after an acrimonious meeting with the club's chairman. He said he "never dreamed it would happen".
Yesterday Redknapp parted company with the club he had served loyally as a player, coach and since 1994 as manager, with West Ham issuing a statement saying the move had been by mutual consent and Redknapp saying he had been disillusioned.
But this morning’s British daily newspapers told a somewhat different story, with reports of a row between Redknapp and West Ham chairman Terry Brown over transfers.
"Leaving the club was the last thing on my mind when I went in this morning," Redknapp was quoted as saying in the Daily Mail. "I never dreamed it would happen.
"After meeting the chairman it all changed and I found myself out of work."
The Mirror's version had Redknapp saying: "The chat I had with the chairman got out of hand and I have ended up out of work."
Redknapp has been one of the busiest managers in the Premiership when it comes to the buying and selling of players, spending £53.4 million sterling but bringing in £64.5 million.
"Life in the Premiership will be even tougher next season and I wanted three players to get us up to scratch," Redknapp said.
That total may swiftly climb with leading players apparently disillusioned by the developments.
First to go could be midfielder Frank Lampard, a nephew of Redknapp's and the son of Frank Lampard senior, Redknapp's assistant who also left the club.
Italian striker Paolo Di Canio said in the Mirror: "I owe my whole career to Harry so I could never imagine going back to the club if he is not there and I know others feel the same."