Graham Taylor tonight suggested that Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis had to resign if the club was to move forward.
Taylor today resigned as Villa manager after leading the club to a disappointing 16th in the Premiership in his second spell in charge.
The former England boss said it was not simply results on the pitch which prompted his decision, and feels the whole structure of the club needs to be examined.
Taylor did not name Ellis, but when asked if more changes were necessary, said: "I believe so. The structure has to be looked at on and off the field, people have to be able to look at themselves and say it's time for a change. If you get anything right at the top there is a good chance it flows down."
Taylor did also admit, however, he had failed to deliver the results he and the supporters craved with Villa only certain of avoiding relegation after a victory over Sunderland in the penultimate game of the season.
The 58-year-old added on BBC Radio Five Live: "Certain aspects of the club had to show an improvement and had to change if I were to remain as manager.
"I didn't come back for us to finish 16th and that's where I failed, I failed to deliver a team that satisfied the supporters. When I came back I took a lot of pressure off the board but that's not why I came back, I came back to deliver a successful team and I failed to do that."
The timing of Taylor's decision came as a shock to the Villa board, but he insisted: "Simply I think it's right, I think it's better for the club. I was going into the last year of my contract and it's difficult to get players to sign when you've only got one year, and we've got some very good young players and they need some stability of management."
Taylor took over at Villa Park for the second time in February last year following John Gregory's departure. But he never recaptured the success of his first period at the helm, when he led Villa back into the old Division One and steered them to the runners-up spot behind Liverpool in 1990.
Earlier he said in a statement: "Contrary to what may be perceived, playing results are not the reason for my resignation. I had always believed that last season was going to be one of transition, particularly in respect of emerging young players.
"I would, however, point out that modern football, with its well-publicised financial pressures, involves much wider issues than mere playing matters and those are a major factor in my decision."
Taylor had been tempted out of retirement by Villa in May 2001 and appointed onto the club's board in a non-executive role. He insisted he was "yesterday's man" and no threat to Gregory. But having called time on his career following one of his greatest achievements in guiding Watford to two successive promotions and into the Premiership, Taylor was the man to whom Villa turned when Gregory resigned in February 2002.
Villa finished eighth last season but failed to translate that promise into their current campaign where they suffered the ignominy of finishing behind local rivals Birmingham.
A short statement on Villa's official website today confirmed that the board had accepted Taylor's resignation with immediate effect.
Former Leeds boss David O'Leary has been installed as one of the favourites to succeed Taylor and become the club's sixth manager in 13 years.
PA