Troy Deeney cut a relaxed figure as a Sky Sports pundit after his Forest Green Rovers dismissal - joking that the sacking 'apparently' means he's an 'official manager'.
Deeney insisted he was 'happy' but could have done things 'differently' with the League Two club, particularly with how he criticised the players publicly.
Forest Green cut ties with Deeney after six winless games under him and numerous public outbursts ripping into his players.
Asked if he would have done things differently, he said: 'Of course, that's why you apologise for saying what you said out loud, but other than that, no.
'Everything was the same, we did well, we moved the small things that Neil [Warnock, next to him] can attest to that don't result in the wins unfortunately but the standards that we set were all in place and we felt we were ready to kick on.
'Unfortunately the powers that be didn't, so learning lesson, you move forward, and, as Neil told me when he first walked through the door, apparently I'm an official manage now because I've been sacked so I'm happy. I'm happy to be here and thank you for having me,' he said, appearing as a pundit before Leicester City's crunch Championship clash with Ipswich Town.
Deeney was in his first managerial job with Forest Green, having been handed the role after initially joining them as a striker in the summer.
He lasted just 29 days after earning three draws and three losses.
His reign will be best remembered for his broadsides against players, including claiming there were 'too many babies' in the squad and describing defender Fankaty Dabo's performances as 'awful'.
He also claimed he needed to 'get the sledgehammers out' to improve performances.
Deeney did apologise for his outburst after the 2-0 loss to Harrogate Town, saying 'I let my emotions get the best of me at times'.
Owner Dale Vince grew even more frustrated with Deeney after the Forest Green manager was handed a four-match touchline ban for using 'improper and/or abusive' language during their game with Swindon Town.
Vince exclusively told Mail Sport that Deeney had made a 'mistake' just hours before he relieved him of his duties.
He went on to say the budding manager had 'let himself and the club down'.
Deeney hit back at Forest Green after his sacking, insisting that 'hard words needed to be spoken'.
'Was I the problem?' he asked. 'Or is it the club that is about to appoint its ninth manager in less than three years?'
Deeney insisted that his harsh words had 'raised standards' in the squad but acknowledged airing his criticism of players publicly was a 'mistake'.
The 35-year-old said he had learned a lesson and wants to return to management in the future.