Parkes managed Blackpool for 23 games

Former Blackpool caretaker manager Tony Parkes has denied the club's claim that his decision to leave Bloomfield Road was for personal reasons.

Parkes' wife, Eileen, is undergoing treatment for cancer, but the Sheffield-born manager says that is not the motive for his departure.

"It was all to do with the contract," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"It was quite an easy decision to make. If they'd have offered me a better deal it would've been harder to leave."

Parkes added: "My wife is ill, but if that was the reason I would have finished earlier.

"There's no difference with my wife today than there was four months ago."

606: DEBATE Have your say on Parkes' comments

The 60-year-old was initially involved in the coaching set-up at Bloomfield Road under Simon Grayson.

But following Grayson's decision to take over as Leeds United manager in December, he was installed as caretaker boss, guiding them to 16th in the Championship.

"We had a meeting last Tuesday about one or two things and obviously there were discussions about the financial package, which from my point of view was quite poor," said Parkes.

"Not only was I fighting my corner but also for my fellow coaching team, Gary Parkinson and Steve Thompson.

"There was no budging on all three contracts. There was an offer of a staying-up bonus, but the basic wage wasn't really improved on, so for all three of us it was a kick in the teeth.

"In that meeting I was never told I'd got the job. I'm not stupid enough to realise they weren't offering me it at the time, but the chairman (Karl Oyston) didn't say 'you're here today because I want you to have the job'.

I don't want Blackpool not to do well because I'm right behind them Tony Parkes

"When I left the meeting I picked up a contract signed 12 months ago and I just said to the chairman I'll have a look at this because I've got one or two people to speak to and I'll phone you back tomorrow.

"The chairman left me a message the day after but that's the only contact I've had since and nobody else from the club has been in touch.

"It's very, very disappointing the board couldn't get together and make it a package that would reflect the work we'd done at that football club."

The former Blackburn coach has given whoever replaces him his backing, and admitted he has no hard feelings towards the club itself.

"Whoever takes the job I wish him well. I don't want Blackpool not to do well because I'm right behind them," said Parkes.

"I've had more positives than negatives, but I will watch Blackpool's result every week and hope they have a good season in the Championship."

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