Kevin Nolan says the time was right to leave West Ham

Kevin Nolan says the moment was right for him to leave West Ham because he would only have ended up languishing on the bench this season.

The former Hammers captain left the club by mutual consent at the end of August, but denied that the departure of former boss Sam Allardyce was a factor, or that he fell out with new manager Slaven Bilic.

Nolan, linked in Sunday's newspapers with a return to old club Bolton, but still pondering his next move, told Goals on Sunday: "It was a wrench to leave West Ham, but it was the right time.

"Slaven was brilliant when he came in and we got on really well. He was honest and we just came to the agreement that it would probably be best if I moved on.

"He said 'you're not guaranteed a place', which I've never had in my entire career, contrary to what people think, when I played under Sam. But he was wanting to bring in a lot of midfielders, which would have put me back a bit more.

Former West Ham, Newcastle and Bolton captain reveals the best player he played with, the best rumour he's heard about himself, his best ever goal and much Former West Ham, Newcastle and Bolton captain reveals the best player he played with, the best rumour he's heard about himself, his best ever goal and much

"I've come to the decision that I'm not going to play as much and I don't want to just sit there and earn my money. For the majority of my career I've played every week and last year, sitting on the bench didn't really suit me.

"I was very miserable at home, the wife will probably tell you, so it came to the point this year, I thought I'm not going to play as much as I would have liked.

"I've had four fantastic years. I've got some great mates there that I'll have for life, but I want to go to a new chapter and contribute to a new beginning of something. I want to be a part of that and achieve something again."

Nolan departs, but Sam Allardyce exit not the cause

Denying that Allardyce's summer exit had any bearing on his decision to quit Upton Park, the 33-year-old Nolan said: "It probably would have happened anyway.

"A lot of people thought it was just [all about] me and Sam, but I was probably the one that battled more with Sam than anyone in the dressing room.

"I can't thank him enough for what he's given me. He's given me my chance in the top flight. But I'd like to think I've repaid him 10 times over."

Nolan added: "I've been very encouraged and humbled with the amount of people who've wanted to speak to me in the last couple of weeks. But it's a major decision and I've got my kids and the family [to consider], so we're going to have to sit down and see what's best.

"I'm going into coaching in the next couple of years, so it could be a move abroad to broaden my knowledge of the game."

I've come to the decision that I'm not going to play as much and I don't want to just sit there and earn my money. Kevin Nolan

Nolan has the unenviable record of being the Englishman with the most Premier League appearances never to have won an England cap. But he says he came close.

"I've spoken to England managers who've said: 'I should have given you a cap," he said.

"It is a frustration, but no regrets. There have been some unbelievable England midfielders [ahead of me], world-class players. The Gerrards, the Lampards.

"It's a bit sad that I haven't got a cap, but I'm just delighted to have had 400 plus appearances in the best league in the world and had three promotions on top of that. I'm delighted with my career."