Scarcely 24 hours after being fired as manager of Toronto FC, Preki insists he has no regrets about the job he did in Toronto, and that he doesn't intend to alter his highly demanding style of coaching.

With Toronto languishing five points outside of the playoffs, the former U.S. international star was relieved of his duties Tuesday, along with team director of soccer Mo Johnston. Former assistant and one-time Canadian U-23 head coach Nick Dasovic was tabbed to replace Preki on an interim basis.

Preki was hired last November after a successful three-year stint with Chivas USA that saw him reach the playoffs every year, yet was unable to replicate that success with Toronto.

"I'm [leaving] the job with my head held high," Preki said in a telephone interview. "I had all the best of intentions and the job that I did over the past six, seven months, I really have no regrets."

When asked what went wrong during his tenure, Preki hinted at a lack of support from owners Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, although he refused to get specific.

"The last two to three months there were some really challenging and difficult circumstances," he said. "At some point down the line, I'll say more."

Preki long has had a reputation as a strict disciplinarian, and with the team struggling through a 1-6-3 stretch, it was widely reported that a player mutiny had ensued.

Toronto FC captain Dwayne De Rosario admitted that Preki's style grated on many players, and midfielder Julian De Guzman even went so far as to question Preki's tactical acumen.

"I couldn't put my finger on the type of system or my role, what we were trying to do, it was like freestyle," de Guzman told The Toronto Sun. "We play against Cruz Azul and we're amazing, and then against D.C. [United] you're the worst thing out there. It's like a gamble going into a lot of the games."

When asked to respond to the comments of his former charges, Preki said: "I don't need to elaborate on the things that De Rosario and De Guzman said. You can see the work I've done with Chivas USA. It's a couple of Canadian guys making those comments. That's all I have to say about that."

There were widespread reports that Preki also had a falling out with Dasovic, with the assistant conspicuously absent from the bench the last few games. When asked if he believed he was undermined by Dasovic, Preki said: "He's in charge now. It's up to you to guess."

Preki added that he plans to spend the coming weeks trying to collect his thoughts. But he also indicated that he sees no reason to change his approach to coaching, one that worked well while he was with Chivas USA.

"I just think that if you come in every day and you ask for commitment and hard work, that's not too much to ask for," he said. "That's the bottom line."

Jeff Carlisle covers MLS and the U.S. national team for ESPNsoccernet.