I would think Saunders would have more of an ax to grind than vice versa. McHale fired Flip (essentially threw him under the bus for their mutual failures). It has to be a tough decision though, you're the GM, you can't fire yourself and someone had to go. I don't blame Flip for probably being annoyed with McHale and I don't blame McHale for firing Flip.
They were both over their head and gurggling.