In an exclusive MGBSFL Matchday 21 interview with JC Sport, Jason Stein spoke about his predecessor, Ian Tussie. We caught up with Mr Tussie, who came back with the following thoughts.
I write an open letter to the fans of Oakwood EDRSB in response to the interview that Jason Stein gave to the JC earlier this week.
I am very disappointed by Jason's comments considering all of the support I offered him at the start of his tenure. It was his choice not to have a handover which I felt would have helped him settle in, especially as he's a lot younger than me and hasn't played the game at a high level like I had. Jason was coming into this job fresh from University and I wanted to tell him a bit about some of the nooks and crannies of the job, he rejected which is absolutely his right but I feel that it is my right to show dissatisfaction at the abhorrent job he's doing.
I built Oakwood B from scratch. We had nothing. No money no kit no balls no pitch. I pulled that club together and I'm entitled to retain an interest in the team's fortunes. It was me what won promotion as manager at our first attempt. It was me that got Ben Polak playing the football of his life, that resurrected the careers of A team players Carl Peters, Dave Woolman and Eddie Manson.
What people don't realise is that I again offered Jason support just after shemini atzeret when I'd spoken to Polak and Conners (Ian's old friend Marc Conway who is still involved with the club) and they told me things were fraught within the changing room. I called Jason and left him a message, offering support. I guess his phone is broken because he never called me back.
Jason talks about his philosophy, his footballing DNA but so far he's more Renee Zellweger than Rene Descartes. He talks about rebuilding but there were superb foundations in place already within the club. The spine of the team I left behind was superb, it's still good. It's a pity they have a spineless manager.
My view hasn't changed. All I want is the best for Oakwood. And that's not Jason.
I've moved on from the club. I'm back at South Manchester now and that's my focus now and forever more.
Jason, my message to you is this: answer your critics on the pitch, not in the media, or do the fans a favour and leave.
Open letter ends.
To which Jason Stein responded: "I respect everything Ian has done for Oakwood, but it's simply not true to suggest he left me a side in rude health. He did not. Why else would I have bought nearly 10 new players in?
"His foundations were built on shaky grounds. I am not blaming Ian for my struggles this year, I'm simply exposing Ian's revisionist theories. I was left to climb a mountain in sandals.
"In trying to insinuate that Mark, my erstwhile assistant/Oakwood director of football/all-round-mensch, has briefed against me, Ian is again maliciously attempting to disturb the equilibrium of the set up.
"Ian and I met in May at a dinner and I offered him a tour of the new training ground and he said he'd get back to me. Guess what, I'm still waiting. I've kept a photo of Ian outside my office at Oakwood HQ because, unlike Ian, I respect all those who occupy the great office.
"This will be my last statement on the matter."
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