Sven Goran Eriksson has admitted his frustration at Sol Campbell’s departure from Notts County and questioned the motives of the former England international.
Campbell walked away from the League Two side on Wednesday just weeks after signing a five-year deal with the Magpies.
The former England defender made just one appearance for the Meadow Lane club before deciding he wanted away.
Director of football Eriksson admitted he and everyone associated with the club shared felt let down by Campbell’s actions.
“Yes, a little bit, but I think everybody has the same feeling – the players, the coaching staff, the directors and the fans because he is a big football name and a very important player,” he told Sky Sports News.
“I am very disappointed, very much so because we signed him and we thought we would have him for a long, long time. He would have been an important player for us, but that’s life. He didn’t like it, so he went.
“The real reasons, I really don’t know. He didn’t like the training pitch, the dressing room, things like that. But he knew that before, we showed him around before he signed.
“I don’t think it’s fair at all. We all know it is a long-term project. Since the new owners came in they have taken on seven or eight new players. You can’t build a new training ground in four or five weeks, that takes time.”
Eriksson dismissed reports that he could be set to follow the 35-year-old out of the club, saying he remains committed to the club.
He added: “We know that we are not perfect, but it’s a long project and that project goes on without Sol Campbell.
“The project is the same, we felt sorry that he has gone, but nothing has changed. I am not leaving.”
Eriksson did admit that he has yet to meet the people who are financing County’s attempts to climb the league.
Munto Finance, the Swiss-based consortium funded by Middle East investment, took control of the club with executive chairman Peter Trembling representing the group.
He admitted: “No, I haven’t met the people. I’ve only met the representatives of the owners. But I’m sure that everything is all right.
“Money comes in and everything goes on as normal, so I’m not worried about the stories about what is behind the scenes. Everything we ask for, we get it.
“I don’t know where the money comes from, that’s the job of the chairman to find out. I’m not really interested in that. The important thing is that the money comes.”
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