Former Bolton Wanderers duo Will Jaaskelainen needed a fresh challenge away while Luke Murphy intending to continue his playing career were reasons behind their departures from Crewe Alexandra.
That's the view of Crewe assistant boss Lee Bell. The Railwaymen were relegated from League One and will be back in the fourth tier of English football once more in the 2022/23 campaign.
The Cheshire club released its retained list and the duo were among those being released. Jaaskelainen is son of Wanderers legend Jussi and came through the youth team ranks at Bolton.
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But he was handed his debut in the Football League by the Railwaymen and played 95 times for the club, but was often on the bench this campaign behind Dave Richards in the goalkeeping pecking order.
Jaaskelainen, 23, has now been released and free to move on to pastures new and Bell said the decision to part ways came from a mutual agreement that the Finland youth international needed a fresh challenge.
Bell told the club website: “Dave came into the team and did well enough to become the number one and we felt that Will needed a fresh challenge and he felt the same way too.
“He is a smashing fella. He is a top professional. He trains well every day and everyone wishes him well at his next club. Now it is up to Trig, Dave Richards, to keep the number one spot for next season.”
Murphy, 32, spent two seasons at Wanderers between 2018 and 2020, making 45 appearances and scoring twice in that time. He is a product of Crewe's academy and originally left in 2013 to go to Leeds United in a transfer deal worth more than £1m.
Murphy has just concluded his second spell at his boyhood club and Bell revealed the warm conversation he had following the final game of the season where the news was broken to him that he would not be offered fresh terms.
The central midfielder understood the reasons for his departure and hopes to continue his playing career elsewhere at another club. And it is something that Bell hopes Murphy goes on to achieve.
He said: “It was a tough decision on Murph and people are aware of the friendship I have with him and his family away from the pitch as well. I spoke to him on the Sunday after the final game of the season and he was brilliant.
“He was really good and very professional but I didn’t expect anything less from him. He understands the reasons.
“Murph has been unbelievable for this club and you couldn’t meet a nicer fella. I just hope he goes on and finds another club and plays for a few more years because that is what he wants to do.”
