Davy Fitzgerald has revealed that Wexford wanted him to stay on for another year as manager and that he is unsure of his next move.
Fitzgerald and the Model County parted ways yesterday after five seasons, which yielded the county's first Leinster hurling title since 2004. They were eliminated in the qualifiers this year and last.
Speaking to RTÉ Radio's Countrywide, the Clare man said that a combination of commuting and the opportunity to leave on good terms were factors in the decision.
"I just feel the time was right," he said. "I talked to Micheál (Martin, Wexford GAA chairman) and he was actually anxious for me to do another year at least if I could.
"In management, you don't get the chance to leave on unreal terms normally. Normally your time is up and they're rushing you out the door. To get five years is probably unheard of, not too many get it.
"I'm on good terms with everybody. They're in a good spot, they're really up there competing with any of the top teams. But it's just time. There's only so much you can do and I found this year particularly tough for a lot of reasons.
"Driving from Clare to Wexford, you're looking at 2 hours 45 to three hours and you're doing that three of four days a week. Maybe you'll leave home at 1pm and get back at 1am. It's a long day."
As for his next move, Fitzgerald suggested he might take a break from inter-county action but then again he might not.
"Will I be involved with a county senior team? I don't know is the answer," he said.
"31 and a half years - in 1989 I came on the (Clare) senior panel and I've been involved with a senior panel every year since.
"I was down training our U17s (Sixmilebridge) last night and enjoyed that immensely. And I'm involved with the senior team so I'm sure I'll be kept going in some way.
"I don't know what's out there. I'll just take a small bit of time and see. An opportunity might present itself, it might not."
"That's one of the ones you don't forget," said Fitzgerald when asked by host Marty Morrissey how well he remembered the Leinster final win over Kilkenny in 2019.
"The emotion from people was absolutely incredible, the way it finished.
"The scenes coming back into Wexford and going through the county were something that live with you.
"They are so passionate down there and really care about their sport."
Fitzgerald added that he thought Wexford's extra-time Leinster semi-final defeat to Kilkenny earlier this month was possibly the team's best performance during his time in charge, and said he was "very proud to have worked with a brilliant backroom team and an unbelievable team I got very close to."
On his former LIT player Joe Canning, who this week announced his retirement from inter-county hurling, Fitzgerald said: "What an unbelievable player. One of the best I've ever ever seen.
"I happened to manage him and want to wish him the best. He's one of the rare ones."
