Paul Ince has admitted that he accepts why Matt Phillips had to leave Blackpool.
The Seasiders boss who has bemoaned a lack of depth to this playing squad all summer was forced to watch the Scottish International head for QPR on Friday.
And while he concedes that he is disappointed to lose a player he wanted to keep, he insisted that the club could not afford to let the 22-year-old’s contract run down any further.
“To lose him is a big blow to me,” Ince told BBC Radio Lancashire.
“I’m not happy and I’m sure the fans aren’t but Matty had a year left and he wasn’t prepared to sign a new contract.”
“When an offer comes in for that type of money, business is business.
“He’s gone and I wish him all the best because he’s been fantastic for us,” added the former England midfielder.
Phillips started his career at Wycombe Wanderers and was named as the League Two Apprentice of the Year in 2009 before moving on to Blackpool during the summer of 2010.
He made 101 appearances for the Seasiders scoring 17 goals.
