FORMER Latics boss Richie Wellens has spoken for the first time about his sacking as he looks to get back into football at the earliest opportunity.

The rookie manager, who was given the shock news over the phone while on holiday three weeks ago, says he had plans in place to take the club forward following the devastation of relegation to League Two on the final day of last season.

Now, he has been left to contemplate what might have been having been replaced by Frankie Bunn.

Wellens told The Oldham Times: “When I was left to deal with things on my own, I thought I was doing alright.

“People got the gist of the way I wanted to play.

“I thought bringing in Jose Baxter was a good signing for the club.

“The next step for me was to get four or five players out so we could bring in some fresh faces and see where it takes us.”

Former midfielder Wellens, 38, who began his career at Manchester United before going on to star for Blackpool, Athletic, Doncaster Rovers and Leicester City, confirmed that former first-team coach Paul Terry had also left Boundary Park.

Terry’s departure comes as no surprise with Andy Rhodes already in place as Bunn’s assistant.

Wellens, who wouldn’t be drawn on the exact details of how his sacking came about due to a privacy agreement, added: “It was a shock, but you move on.

“It’s the first time in my career I’ve had the whole summer off but I’m looking to get back into the game as soon as possible — whether that’s as a manager, an assistant or a coach, we’ll have to wait and see.”

Meanwhile, on the pitch, Preston's Tommy Spurr - reportedly a target for Latics - has joined Fleetwood on a season-long loan.

Athletic have also been linked with a loan swoop for Bristol City winger Jonny Smith. The 20-year-old starred while on loan at AFC Fylde in the National League last season.

However, it seems likely Bunn will first want to move players out of the club before he can recruit.

That process began yesterday when winger Gyamfi Kyeremeh had his contract terminated by mutual consent. The Belgian, who rarely figured in last season’s squad due to injury, follows Brian Wilson, Tope Obadeyi, Ollie Banks, Paul Green, Abdelhakim Omrani, Mason Fawns and Kallum Mantack out of the exit door.

Meanwhile, Latics will host Preston in a friendly on Saturday, July 28 (3pm).

The original fixture for that date has been rescheduled, with Athletic travelling to FC United on Tuesday, July 17 (7.45pm). The Radcliffe game on Saturday, July 14, has been cancelled. Bunn’s men kick-off their pre-season programme at Ashton United on Tuesday, July 10 (7.45pm) followed by a trip to Curzon Ashton on Saturday, July 14 (3pm). Nottingham Forest visit Boundary Park on Saturday, July 21 (3pm).