You are firing someone, putting a fellow human being on the dole.

But it's the oldest cliché in the book that there is no room for sentiment in football.

And by getting rid of the likes of Michael Jackson and Michael Flynn, Simon Grayson showed the coldness and the detached view that every successful manager needs.

Here Grayson tells The Gazette the reasons behind his Seasiders clearout

How difficult is to have to release players?
It is a very difficult thing to do. No manager enjoys it. The first team players and youth team players we've had to do in one day, and we've had to release some established first team players along the way.
It's never easy but these decisions have to be made and we have to try and bring in better players and try and keep progressing as a football club. The ones that we have released have been fantastic to work with.
The likes of Michael Jackson, been the club captain for last two years, lifted trophy at Wembley, a fantastic pro. I just felt it was an opportunity that Michael maybe wouldn't play so many games next year.
There is Keigan Parker, who has been a fantastic servant and got some great goals for us along the way.
John Hills, Michael Flynn – he has played quite a lot of games this year.
There is a long list to go through. But we made the decisions we think are right to take this football club forward.

Have you had these names in mind for a while or was it dependent on staying in the Championship?
Some of the players I made my mind up a while ago. The likes of Paul Tierney and Marcus Bean have known for a while that their contracts wouldn't be extended.
The other ones, a lot of the decisions were made on the division we were in. We decided that because we are in the Championship we are going to try and get a better quality player and that is not disrespectful to the players we have released. If we'd gone down then those players would probably have still been here. It's getting the right balance of progressing the football club and trying to freshen things up.
But can't forget how successful some of the players that are being released have been.

Michael Jackson was the captain at Wembley, Keigan Parker scored a great goal – it's the end of an era in some ways isn't it?
Yes, Keigan got a lot of goals throughout the time at the club. It was common knowledge that he was going to leave at the end of his contract.
Jacko was the one that we took from Tranmere and we've had two great years out of him both on training pitch and on pitch. He has been a leader, players have looked up to him as an example. But like a lot of things, players and managers and coaching staff come and go. It's a football club and decisions have to be made for the right reasons and that's what we've tried to do.

Tell us about the players you are in discussions with about keeping?
Claus Jorgensen we have offered a new deal to.
We are also in discussions with Andy Morrell about certain situations. We had a discussion about his position, how much football he wants to play next year – and we'll have another chat with Andy probably tomorrow or early next week.
Simon Wiles is another one we've offered a contract to, probably more so to retain our compensation value (Wiles is under 24 and so, if under contract, other clubs would have to pay Pool compensation before signing him).

What are your reasons for offering those players new contracts?
If you look at Claus he has played an integral part for us over the last few months. He has chipped in with some good goals but he has had a good season as a whole. He wasn't in team at start but worked hard to get back into it and he has kept the shirt. He has been a driving force in the midfield area, alongside Michael Flynn and Keith Southern at back end of season. I just thought that Claus deserved it.
Andy Morrell's situation is a little bit different to Claus. Claus has had a concrete offer made to him.
Andy we're just having informal chats about what his thoughts are about next year, and our thoughts too. So that is in the early stages of talks.

Is it strange having to do this so soon after the end of the season?
It's very difficult. Certain players have played a big part in keeping us up this year but you have to move on and that's what we've had to so. We can't stand still as a football club. We have to bring fresh blood in, fresh ideas, and players that we think will make an impact in the team next year. It is difficult but it has to be done quickly for their own benefits – they needed to know as quickly as possible. We need to get our own thoughts in line about what we need to do.

How did you tell them your decision?
I told them face to face because I think that's the right way to do it. Players might not agree with the decisions but they accept it and they will go away and reflect on what's been said but all I can do is be man enough to tell them to their face and explain my reasons for doing it. Some players will have realised what was going to happen, others might not. But I am trying to make the right decisions for this club.