ONE MAJOR problem forced Chris Waddle to leave Burnley, I can reveal today, writes PETE OLIVER.

Waddle told me that his decision to suggest a parting of the ways was not a footballing or financial one.

He would not disclose the nature of the stumbling block when we spoke today following last night's announcement that the player-manager had left the club 'by mutual consent'.

It's clear, however, that Waddle instigated the decision clearly unhappy with certain arrangements affecting his running of team affairs.

And it appears likely that he found some working relations at Turf Moor impossible.

"It was a personal thing, nothing to do with the football side and nothing to do with finance," he said.

"The problem had been going on for quite a long time and was probably getting worse rather than better.

"I had a good think about it and once I realised that it was not going to get any better I couldn't have another year of it.

"It was something I had on my mind from the Plymouth game. It was something I wanted to clear and I couldn't see it being cleared.

"It was a major point to me if we were to keep progressing the way we were. It was an important part to me and I couldn't see it being rectified." Waddle put his thoughts to chairman Frank Teasdale before a board meeting on Monday night and with the chairman apparently not envisaging a change to the situation the player-manager's departure was put to the board.

The directors backed the decision and Waddle was duly released to leave the Clarets back in disarray with a new manager needed, the planned takeover still up in the air and eight senior players facing talks over new contracts.

Teasdale originally issued a statement which read: "After what has been a difficult season culminating in Burnley successfully retaining their Second Division status, Chris Waddle has taken stock of his personal position and by mutual agreement the club and Chris Waddle have agreed to part company.

"Chris Waddle is appreciative of the opportunity the club has provided him with in his first step into player management, and Burnley would like to thank him for his efforts.

Waddle obviously felt strongly enough about the one aspect he felt was stopping him from doing his job properly to bring to an end his first job in management. The former Newcastle, Tottenham and England star endured a difficult tenure of office after replacing Adrian Heath as the popular choice to take over.

The club only survived relegation to the Football League basement on the final day of the season but there were signs that the side had turned the corner and with key players offered new deals and new players being sought there had been optimism for next season.

And Waddle believes that he had the side heading in the right direction.

He added: "I said I didn't have a magic wand and it would take time. I had to make a few changes with players who had been in the side for two or three seasons and ended up with a young side.

"If you look from the turn of the year we took 32 points which basically is play-off form and I would like to think the team finish stronger. It was a young side with a lot of inexperienced players.

"It took time for everybody to gel. I was learning my trade and they were learning theirs.

"I knew that if it went to the end of the season we would beat Plymouth and it turned out nice in the end. It was a nice finale and something that will stick in the mind. "But I didn't want to be in that position. I wanted my first job to be a big success.

"I have learned a hell of a lot and I am grateful to the supporters. At times they had a go but that was only on a handful of occasions for all the position we were in.

"I think they enjoyed the football and what we were trying to achieve and I thank them a lot.

"People wrote us off a long time ago. Even people in the game rang me up after the season. Alvin Martin said we had done an excellent job to stay up and that's a testament to the players."

Waddle also thanked his back room team of Glenn Roeder, Gordon Cowans and Chris Woods and the Turf Moore office staff.

Waddle stressed to me that he has nothing new lined up but hopes to bounce back, learn from the experience and stay in the game with his appetite undimmed.

"I am unemployed now and have got to look to get back into it whether it be playing or as a manager," he said.

"I know if it was as a player I could do a job so I have got to look at all options. People are also looking for managers and if my name is in the hat I will look at that."

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