Derby County chairman Adam Pearson offers no apologies for the departure of Billy Davies last week.
But he felt forced to act after the Scot claimed he hadn't spoken to the chairman for three weeks and insisted he needed "six or seven" new players in the January transfer window.
This was the straw that broke the camel's back.
"After his comments the parting of the ways was inevitable," said Pearson. "Perhaps Billy felt it was the right time to overstep the mark. Perhaps he needed to bring things to a head.
"We are going to bring players in but we're not going to throw stupid money at the situation if it's not redeemable. It was a silly comment and it had to have been said for a reason.
"The change came at the right time. Otherwise it could have developed into a catastrophic season."
Pearson also told the Sunday Mirror: "It might look as if Billy has been treated harshly but it's a harsh world. That's why the managers get the rewards they get.
"I think Billy saw the situation here was ripe for a change - both for him and for the club."
