Garry Monk responds to revealing Sam Hutchinson interview as midfielder leaves Sheffield Wednesday
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Hutchinson, 31, left the club on a free transfer this week after six years with the club along with fellow long-serving players Fernando Forestieri and Steven Fletcher as Monk prepares to usher in a new lease of life at Hillsborough.
Speaking to BBC Sheffield yesterday, the former England youth international admitted that having been effectively frozen out by the manager since January, the timing of the end of his contract had come at a good time for both parties.
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Hide AdHe suggested ‘his face didn’t fit’ at the club regardless of what he could offer the team and denied concerns over his condition and reliability, claiming he had never felt fitter.
“This season I've played 25 games,” he said. “It’s the most I've ever played in my career in that short space of time and the gaffer didn't see me as reliable.
“I didn't really miss a training session but that's his choice but he has to do what he feels is right for the team.”
Speaking to The Star following Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat at home to West Brom, Monk admitted he had not heard the interview but told the themes, reiterated his poition.
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Hide Ad“I’ve said what I said about those players,” he said. “I had those conversations with them and I made it clear about what we need to do moving forward and all that side of it, I’ve been very clear on that.
“At the end of the day I need to focus on the players that are here. We’re doing good things and we’re trying to move it in the right direction. We need to stay focused on that and not get into tittle-tattle or anything like that.”
Alongside Hutchinson, Fletcher and Forestieri, Morgan Fox and Sam Winnall also left the club this week, leaving the Owls with a paper-thin squad with six matches remaining.
Wednesday have shown periods of real promise in their three matches back from the lockdown suspension and are heading into what looks set to be a busy transfer window.
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Hide AdMonk said: “I wish them all well, they know that. I have to make decisions, I have to make decisions that people don’t like sometimes, but that’s my job.
“Anyone with any sane mind can see what I’m trying to do. I think it’s the right thing to do, it’s the right thing for the club and the club agree with that. I’m trying to move it in that direction.
“Unfortunately there has to be some decisions and not everyone will agree with it, players won’t agree with it either, but these are the decisions I have to make as a football manager.
“This is going to be a transition, we need to give it time and the players have already picked up on where I want to move it to and I think you can see that overall in the three performances.”