Sam Saunders said it was an “attractive” time for someone to start as the new manager of Brentford Football Club.
Uwe Rösler left the role of Brentford boss on Saturday to take up the managerial position at Sky Bet Championship side Wigan Athletic.
His departure was confirmed hours before The Bees were beaten by Carlisle United in an FA Cup with Budweiser Second Round tie.
Sam, speaking after the match, said a manager leaving for a higher level club when doing well was a new experience for him but was something that footballers had to deal with.
He said Brentford had a good squad, an owner in Matthew Benham that would back the manager and were playing well.
The loss at Carlisle ended a nine match unbeaten run, which had seen eight wins, but Brentford sit fourth in Sky Bet League One, behind third placed Preston North End on goal difference and six points off the top.
“It’s been a weird 48 hours,” said Sam.
“I have been in the game a long time but I have never experienced this before.
“I have never had a manager go because the team has been doing well and he has been doing well.
“It is a frustrating time; we felt we were doing well.
“It’s an attractive club to come and take over.
“The team is doing well; there is a good bunch of young players.
“There is an owner that will back the gaffer and he will inherit a good squad.
“I am sure there will no shortage of applicants.
“We have been on a good run of form but in football, if you do well you get taken on by bigger clubs.
“That is how it is and we have to get on with it.
“The gaffer has left us in good hands.”
Sam said everyone in the Brentford dressing room wished Uwe well but were now looking forward.
“Every player in the dressing room is there because of the old gaffer,” he said.
“It is difficult to see someone go, we all got on well with him.
“It’s done now, he has gone and we wish him well but there is no room for sentiment in football.
“We look forward to whoever comes in and we will work hard in training to produce in matches.
“We have a great platform, we are in the mix.
“We have a strong squad and strength in depth will help us at Christmas.
“It is there to play for.”
Brentford exited the FA Cup at Brunton Park, losing 3-2 to Carlisle.
They fell behind at the end of the first half when James Berrett scored from 20 yards but equalised after half time when Pascal Chimbonda scored an own goal.
Carlisle reacted better to the Brentford goal and scored twice in four minutes.
Sam came off the bench to set up a goal for Farid El Alagui and Brentford pressed for an equaliser but couldn’t find one.
“It was pleasing to get an assist,” said Sam.
“I hope it was a reminder of what I can do.
“I haven’t been getting as many game minutes as I would like and hopefully I can get more in the future.
“It wasn’t to be for us today.
“The boys showed good character to come back from 3-1 down after what has happened in the last couple of days.
“We dug in and we continued to push on.
“We were unfortunate not to get something.
“The only good thing for us was that it wasn’t any league points dropped.”
Sam said Brentford deserved credit for coming back from 3-1 down and almost levelling but conceded the opening goal at a bad time.
He said it was important to remember that Brentford were right in the League One promotion race and had, on Thursday, been given planning permission by Hounslow Council’s Planning Committee for a new 20,000 set stadium at Lionel Road South.
“We wanted to be solid in the first half and it was a frustrating time to concede a goal,” he said.
“We wanted to come out in the second half and use our fitness and the power we have on the bench.
“We always know we will finish a game strongly.
“It was a good strike but frustrating to concede just before half time.
“Carlisle came back strongly after we equalised.
“The boys could have crumbled but we went again and Farid scored a goal.
“We had their backs against the wall at the end and we almost nicked something.
“They were hanging on for dear life at the end.
“It is credit to the boys, we know we could have done better in certain aspects but after the weekend we have had I’m pleased we showed spirit and gave the travelling fans something to cheer about at the end.
“They have had a long journey and a tough 48 hours as well.
“But we shouldn’t forget we also had the new stadium news, that is fantastic, it certainly isn’t all doom and gloom.
“We are joint third in the league and looking strong.”
Sam Saunders’ full post-match interview can be seen here by Bees Player subscribers.