Alan Curbishley admits the sale of George McCartney to Sunderland convinced him to walk out on West Ham.

The 50-year-old felt players were being bought and sold for him and he was not prepared to endorse such a policy by staying at Upton Park.

Curbishley told Sky Sports' Goals on Sunday programme: "I was firmly against George going, after being told no-one else had to leave.

"If George left and players came in on loan I'd be condoning it and I wasn't going to condone what was going on."

West Ham rejected Curbishley's claims that the club's decisions on players represented a "breach of trust and confidence".

Vice-chairman Asgeir Fridgeirsson has insisted Curbishley was fully aware of the transfer budget.

But Curbishley felt his power was being eroded while he still had to bear all the criticism for performances.

He said: "I just felt what was happening was things were going on which I wasn't agreeing to. I firmly stood my corner but it didn't make any difference.

"I bear no animosity to the club, the team, the players. I want them to do well. I am a West Ham boy and was privileged to become manager there.

"I felt if you are going to be responsible for performances and results, they have got to be your players out there. I just felt the way it was turning out, that wasn't happening."