Stewart Downing hits back at Brendan Rodgers, 'incredible deal' not the reason behind West Ham move

Stewart Downing

Former Livepool player Stewart Downing has responded to former manager Brendan Rodgers by denying the claims that money was the deciding factor in his move to Upton Park.

The Liverpool manager had previously said that England international Downing was not for sale, but he was offered a really good deal by West Ham.

“He wasn’t one we were pushing out of the door. After the early part of last season, he became a very valuable member of the squad,” the Liverpool manger told the Liverpool Echo.

“But he gets the chance to go to West Ham, picks up a long-term deal, plays week in, week out and at this stage of his career that’s obviously what he wanted.”

However Downing rebutted allegations of his ex-boss and revealed it was Liverpool who planned the move.

According to Sky Sports, West Ham winger said: “They said they wanted to keep me but they accepted a fee. I don’t know about ‘an incredible deal’ – I got a four-year contract.

“I’m disappointed that one minute I was staying, the next I was gone.”