Sacked Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp said he could have helped the club win the Premier League title.
Tottenham confirmed Redknapp's sacking in the early hours of Thursday morning, saying it was a decision they had not taken lightly.
Redknapp had 12 months to run on his contract and helped Tottenham finish fourth in the Premier League last season, but Chelsea's Champions League victory meant they qualified for next season's competition in Tottenham's place.
"I have left behind fantastic players," the BBC quoted Redknapp as saying.
"It is tough because it is a team that could have gone on to win the Premier League. I just wish I had been part of that."
Redknapp said he did not think making the Champions League would have saved his job.
"I think the same outcome would have happened, the chairman (Daniel Levy) would have gone down the same road."
Everton's David Moyes was installed as the bookmakers' favourite for the job, while Redknapp said he would be looking for another job sooner rather than later.
"You cannot sit around moping. That's not my game," he said.
"I love football. I would suit any job. I don't think I am coming to the end of my career.
"Alex Ferguson is in his seventies and is still the best manager in the world. I am as fit as a fiddle."
Redknapp said the sacking happened when he met with Levy to discuss the future.
"The club decided to go in a different direction. That's their decision," he said.
"I have had four fantastic years at Tottenham and have absolutely loved every minute. It couldn't have gone better for me.
"It is disappointing in some ways but that's football.
"The people who own the club make their decisions. That is their right. I don't hold grudges. I don't worry what could have been.
"I am sad to be leaving but wish to thank the players, staff and fans for their terrific support during my time there."
Redknapp took over at Spurs in October 2008 when they were bottom of the league table and helped them finish eighth.
He then led Tottenham to fourth in his first full season, securing Champions League football.
