Paul Bealin claims he was ousted as Westmeath manager because the players were "looking for a scapegoat".

Even though the Lake County failed to win a competitive game during the course of 2014, the former Dublin midfielder feels he couldn't have done any more during his term at the helm:

"One of the questions I have asked over and over again to the relative committee and to players is: what could Paul Bealin have done or what did Paul Bealin not do?," he states in The Irish Independent.

"And the answer has come back that Paul Bealin could do no more. That question was asked. What did we not do? And there was silence.

"It's player power, it's the players that are deciding that they want something different. Looking for a scapegoat. I do believe the players had an influence on the decision. In fact, I know they did.

"I think that while some of the players may feel they have all the answers, they do have a bit of soul-searching to do themselves.

"I would advise the next manager whoever he is - and I wish him the best of luck - to bring a set of mirrors, so the players can have a look at themselves first. And I say that in a constructive way, not a nasty way.

"Some 90% of the players, for me, have been fantastic. But there are a few players - some very influential - who caused friction, in my opinion, and tried to take the onus off their own performance." Tweet

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