Charlie Hodgson has admitted to difficulties at Sale under Mike Brewer © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Charlie Hodgson

Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership

Teams: England | Sale Sharks

Charlie Hodgson has revealed that the upset caused by Mike Brewer's stint as head coach at Sale contributed to his decision to quit the club for a new challenge with Saracens.

The England fly-half will leave Edgeley Park at the end of the current campaign, drawing a line under an 11-season relationship with the Sharks in which he became the Premiership's leading points-scorer.

Brewer was shown the door before Christmas, having replaced Jason Robinson in the hotseat at the start of the season, with his abrasive style not sitting well with a number of senior players.

"What I would say is that the thoughts of doing something else came well before Mike Brewer got here," Hodgson told the Manchester Evening News. "We have been in relegation battles and last season was a stress that I don't really want as a player.

"I know there was a lot of speculation about myself and Mike Brewer and I want to put the record straight that, regardless of what was said, there was no massive argument with Mike Brewer. Having stated what he did in the press when he criticised me after the Wasps game, that was it. Job done. All the subsequent stuff that has come out, that it was all my fault that he's gone, is absolute rubbish."

Hodgson added: "The thoughts about possibly doing something else came before he arrived. But it's fair to say once he arrived, at that time he definitely made my mind up.

"For me, I have been at Sale for a long period of time and for someone to come in and upset the apple cart so much it really got to me. I've given everything I can to this club and this guy's come in and made it really awkward for everybody - not just me. And that's what I struggled to some to terms with."

Since replacing Brewer, new boss Pete Anglesea has overseen a mini revival with victory over Saracens and a hard-fought draw with basement rivals Newcastle last weekend.

"There is a lot of ability here and it could have been even better if maybe it had been handled differently," Hodgson said. "The squad's no different - its just a change of mentality. The environment is a much more enjoyable place to be. People don't get abused every day, they don't get kicked in the back every day and it's a nice place to come to work.

"Beforehand, a big part of the squad were not happy. The fact that Brian [Kennedy, Sale owner] has made his decision has uplifted the place. The fact that Pete is now in charge has changed the environment. He's a positive guy, he's enthusiastic and he wants his players to do well. His enthusiasm is infectious , his positivity is infectious and it will affect everyone who is playing."