CHAIRMAN Terry Fenwick has denied offering the Ipswich Wanderers manager’s job to someone else, hours before boss Steve Buckle left the club.

Buckle talked to the Star yesterday and stressed his disappointment at the manner of his departure on Tuesday, claiming interviews with prospective candidates were taking place before he left.

Buckle and his assistant Paul Grainger paid the price for a poor start to the season which has seen the Ridgeons League Division One side pick up just four points from their opening seven league matches and be ousted from every cup competition.

Fenwick did not deny holding ‘informal’ talks prior to Buckle’s departure but said the club had not begun the process of looking for a new manager.

“We have not approached anyone else for the job and that is the truth,” said Fenwick, who was appointed chairman at the start of the season.

“Myself and two other committee members had a very informal meeting with someone and I did tell Steve this but we did not make any job offer.

“This was a very difficult decision to make and myself and Steve do see each other on a social basis and will remain close friends, but the club and committee comes first.

Buckle was manager of the club for almost four years and also represented Wanderers as a player in the late Eighties and early Nineties.

He guided the club to a 10th-placed finish in the division last season but has struggled this campaign, the club losing five of their opening seven games including a 6-2 defeat at Fakenham last time out.

“It was not a matter of being given more time but it is the way that this (sacking) has been done which is the most disappointing,” said Buckle, speaking yesterday.

“I knew people had been sniffing around the job and results have not been that great and, to be fair, the committee have got to get the wheels in motion.

“But it leaves a bit of a sour taste in my mouth.”