Perrin: I understand sacking decision

(GSM) – Former Saint-Étienne manager Alain Perrin has expressed his dismissal from the les Verts as “premature”, and admitting that he would not blame the club for their decision to let him go but still claims it was an “injustice”.

The former Olympique Lyon and Portsmouth boss was relieved of his managerial duties on Tuesday after the club’s poor run of results which have left the side 17th in Ligue 1.

A 3-0 defeat to Paris St Germain at the weekend proved the final straw for Perrin, who leaves after 13 months at the helm.

And the 53-year-old admits he had been hoping to get more time to turn results around.

“It’s disappointing not to have passed the challenge but it wasn’t my decision,” he told L’Equipe. “There is an ejector seat and the leaders chose to release it.

“I feel a little injustice, but we started the season slowly and were always rowing against the tide. I didn’t really expect it though. You don’t ever expect it, you’re always preparing for the next game.

“The last two results were taken into consideration I think, but I have no feelings of bitterness towards the club’s management. In the same way I make my choices over team selection, they have made theirs.

“But I think it’s a bit premature. With the return of some players in January, there was plenty there to redress the balance. I could have been given until then.”

Assistant coach Christophe Galtier will take charge of St Etienne for their next match on Saturday at home to Marseille.