Gazza was given every chance - Ladak

Kettering chairman Imraan Ladak has admitted to offering wayward star Paul Gascoigne a career lifeline prior to their acrimonious parting of the ways.

After Gascoigne’s departure as manager of the Nationwide Conference North club on Monday after just 39 days in charge, the two men have traded insults, claims and counter claims.

Yet Ladak maintains Gascoigne was given the opportunity to rid himself of the demons that continue to plague his life, and of the bad influences he feels are adding to the 38-year-old’s problems.

Ladak insists his comments that Gascoigne was “under the influence of alcohol before, during and after several first-team games and training sessions” are factual and not just allegations.

Despite the apparent alcohol-related problems, however, Ladak firmly believes he and Gascoigne “could get through it".

Ladak said: “I wasn’t being over-confident or narcissistic. I just felt I could help Paul, but I couldn’t.

“I defended him for a number of weeks to fellow directors, players, sections of the media and loyal supporters.

“I even had discussions with him about walking away, getting himself right and then coming back.

“If he had agreed to do that, then I would have placed someone in temporary charge until Paul had got himself right.

“But the way the conversation transpired with Paul, that was not an option.

“So as soon as he chose to walk away from the club he knew it would become a media frenzy. He probably felt he had to protect himself.

“By doing that he had no choice but to attack someone, and I was the only person that could be targeted, and then I had no choice but to defend myself and the club to a degree.

“He has been through so much, and he must have felt this was his last chance, so when it was taken away from him, he probably believed he had no alternative, or someone was telling him he had no alternative.

“But I did offer him that alternative. It’s just that sometimes the people around you can give you a viewpoint and an angle that isn’t quite correct.

“They can deceive you and make you say things you shouldn’t be saying, and saying they are for your own good. They certainly weren’t for Paul.”

Ladak insists he has no regrets about appointing Gascoigne, adding: “I don’t think I could have done anything differently.

“At the time I made a decision based on all the facts that were in front of me, that it was the right decision and that all the way through I did what I could.”

Ladak, who has admitted to receiving “physical threats” in the immediate aftermath of Gascoigne’s exit that have since been withdrawn, is hoping the matter is now closed.

Although Gascoigne issued a statement yesterday again denying the drink claims, it would appear his interest in buying out Ladak and reinstalling himself as manager is at an end.

After spending Monday night in police custody following his arrest for an alleged assault, and following his release on bail pending further enquiries, Gascoigne said: “I thoroughly enjoyed working with a great bunch of lads, and I wish them every success under Kevin Wilson.”

Kevin Wilson was reappointed on Monday having stepped down following Gascoigne’s arrival, but his return was marred when Kettering conceded a last-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Alfreton last night.

Gascoigne opted to stay away from the game, despite threats he would be behind the dugout shouting instructions to the players.

His presence was barely missed, other than a couple of banners that read: ’Free Gazza – Our Town Needs You’ and ’100% Gazza – Docter (sic) Out’.

The "doctor" in question referred to Ladak, who concluded: “I’m happy to draw the line.

“I never wanted to step into this situation in the first place, but unfortunately it has spiralled out of control.

“I’m sure Paul has had time on his own, Monday night and yesterday morning, to think things through and is smart enough to work out what has been going on.

“I’m sure he will eventually, and when he does then we will talk again.

“I’m just hoping Paul says one day ’Imraan wasn’t like that.’ I’d like him to do that.”