Bryan Gunn says his controversial sacking as Norwich City manager has left a bitter taste.The Canaries legend was axed six days after the 7-1 home thrashing by Colchester on the opening day, but believed it was a one-off and that the 4-0 Carling Cup win at Yeovil the following week was something to build on.

Bryan Gunn says his controversial sacking as Norwich City manager has left “a bitter taste”.

The Canaries legend was axed six days after the 7-1 home thrashing by Colchester on the opening day, but believed it was a one-off and that the 4-0 Carling Cup win at Yeovil the following week was something to build on.

But Gunn was sacked the day before the game at Exeter - and although the club emphasised the point that he was always welcome back at the club which has dominated his life for more than two decades, it seems the relationship has been soured by events.

“I didn't expect it to happen so soon,” Gunn told Sky Sports Soccer Extra in his first interview since his departure. “I felt I had the backing of the board, we were the right people for the job and I had been backed financially throughout the summer.

“It leaves a bitter taste. I would have hoped it would have lasted longer.”

It was that backing from the board throughout the summer and the subsequent turnaround after just one game that led to an avalanche of protests from fans who were angry at the treatment meted out to a genuine club hero.

“We didn't see the 7-1 defeat coming,” he said.

“We had a good pre-season, we had a chance to put things right after the defeat, which we did 4-0 at Yeovil, but obviously the damage had already been done.

“I felt devastated by the result to be honest. But we made four changes at Yeovil, got a good 4-0 result and I was expecting to build on that against Exeter on the Saturday.

“We stayed down in the West Country for the Exeter game, we named the team on the Friday and were going through set plays for the game.

“But the board had held a meeting on the Thursday and at 3pm on Friday I got told my services were no longer required.

“I was told it was based on that one result, but having made 12 signings during the summer, it's done and dusted, but we felt the signings we'd made would give us a good chance of getting promoted.

“They've since gone on and got a couple of good results and I'm sure Norwich are well placed to challenge at the top of the league this season.

“I still feel I could have done the job, but that's not to be.”