Gascoigne accused by Kettering chief
Paul Gascoigne’s first venture into management ended in acrimony and the accusations from Kettering chairman Imraan Ladak that the former England midfielder’s drinking was out of control.
The 38-year-old has left the Nationwide Conference North side after just 39 days in charge, and although Gascoigne said in a statement he was still “committed” to Kettering, Ladak has refused to sell his stake in the club.
Gascoigne told his official personal website www.paulgascoigne.biz: “If I do leave, then God bless Kettering Town Football Club and the next manager.
“I believe in the town and the potential the club has and I believe we have made huge strides forward in the past five to six weeks. But unfortunately the situation has become untenable and we will look to find a solution to the issues.
“The chairman wants to sack me but I said I will never walk away from Kettering Town and I will fight all the way.
“I am now looking to buy the football club. I said I would never walk away and I said I would achieve the goal of achieving league status in the next three to five years.”
But Ladak claims the former Tottenham, Lazio and Rangers star’s problems with alcohol have resurfaced, and that it was that factor which led to his exit.
“I have tried to help Paul through this difficult period but gave an undertaking to the board prior to my takeover that if Paul hit the bottle I would remove him as manager,” said Ladak.
