DINO Maamria admits he feared for his future once his suspension entered a third week.

In a frank interview with the Guardian following his dismissal earlier today, Wednesday, he said he was gutted to leave after ‘barely starting the job.’

“If the club wanted me back I would have been before today,” he mused.

“However I did expect some explanation, some sort of closure, but I’ve not even been thanked for the effort I’ve put in as manager here.

“Instead I’d left after less than five minutes without so much as a handshake.”

He faced Jim Rushe at the Marston’s Arena this afternoon for the first time since the club’s owner told him to stay away at the end of last month.

The club called it ‘gardening leave’ and baulked at describing the process as an investigation.

Maamria gave his account of what happened on September 29 – less than 48 hours after Vics’ 3-2 defeat at home to Weymouth.

He said: “Jim called me and asked me to meet him at the ground,” he said.

“I went there and was told to stay away for the next two weeks because the club planned to suspend me.

“I wasn’t given a reason.”

Today, 22 days later, Maamria was told he would not be returning to the dugout. Asked if he would like to resign, he flatly refused.

“To be dismissed so soon into the season – just six weeks – is in my opinion disgusting,” he said.

“Jim says the board have made a decision together but who is he talking about? I don’t think he wanted me around any more but at no point has he said it’s because results have not been good enough.

“I don’t think that’s the reason I’m not with Northwich any more.”

When asked by the Guardian whether he had any inkling why he had been sacked, Maamria was adamant.

He said flatly: “None.”

Rushe has spoken to every player, plus backroom staff, in a bid to resolve the ‘internal matter’ he says led to Maamria’s suspension.

That investigation closed on Friday, with the owner promising to give the manager a chance to answer any allegations made against him.

In the meantime the Guardian contacted the PFA to ask if a complaint had been made about Maamria.

A spokesman said that no-one had been in touch with the players’ union about Northwich Victoria and today Rushe confirmed the reasons for the club’s decision would not be made public.

It leaves him at an impasse with Maamria, who confirmed he is seeking legal advice following his dismissal.