Kevin Keegan sensationally quit as England manager less than an hour after his side were defeated by Germany.
Keegan gave his players and FA Chief Executive Adam Crozier the news in the dressing-room.
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Keegan broke the news publicly to Clare Tomlinson on Sky Sports.
"It was my decision 1000 per cent," he said.
"I look forward to a life outside football now. I wasn’t quite good enough."
Alan Shearer, Sky Sports pundit for the England-Germany game said: "I am amazed - I'm in shock,"
England have a World Cup qualifier in Finland on Wednesday night. Howard Wilkinson is expected to take charge.
An emotional Keegan explained his decision by saying: "I have no complaints. I have not been quite good enough.
"The Football Association tried to persuade me to stay but I feel it is the
end of the road. I know it is not a good timing. I came in under difficult circumstances but have absolutely no-one is to blame but myself. I did it to be the best of my ability.
"I am not the man to take it that stage further. I have to be true to
myself.
"I told
the players I don't think I can find that little bit extra that you need at
this
level. just want to go and spend some time with my family. I just feel I have
given it my best shot.
"I have probably have had a longer run than expected...a lot of coaches who
did a lot better than me in Euro 2000 went."
Keegan's England were booed off the field after losing 1-0 to Germany.
I have always
been a man who knows when to go. I do not want to outstay my welcome," he said.
"Hopefully all my staff will stay on. They have got Howard Wilkinson who has been very
supportive
"I have no complaints. I have not been quite good enough.
"The FA tried to persuade me to stay. I feel it is end of the road.
"I came in under difficult circumstances. I now look forward to a life
outside of football.
Adam Crozier, Chief Executive of the FA, said: "It is not the best preparation for the Finland game and can't be disguised as that.
"But Kevin has done this with enormous dignity."
Terry Venables is the early favourite with the bookmakers to be Keegan's long-term successor.
Peter Taylor, John Gregory, Bryan Robson and Peter Reid follow him in the betting.