Main points were:
*Still not recovered (he didn't sound well) but 75% better
*Illness was due to hereditary condition, not stress of the job (though he did later say high bloodpressure doesn't help it)
*He wanted to stay, but wasn't able to return before September. Gary Mac would have been in charge. There is also a possibility that the specialist might have said he's not ready in September- Or might not have been able to return at all. RL didn't want to risk this, but no acrimony
*If he had remained he would have done everything to keep Downing, but accepts it's difficult if a player wants out
*Happy with the McLeish appointment
*6th/7th should be the target this year
*If he can't get back into management, he'll still stay involved in the game in some way
Good to hear from him, spoke positively about the club and fans and seems genuinely disappointed that he couldn't continue.