FOXBOROUGH – It was time.

There will always be a segment of the fan base that believes getting rid of Bill Belichick was the wrong move. They may be proven right depending on which direction the Patriots organization goes over the next 10-20 years.

Despite that, Robert Kraft knew a change was needed if this team was in fact going to turn the page on The Dynasty. Most of those days have been long gone since Brady departed, but life after the ‘good old days’ couldn’t truly begin until Bill was gone.

Nobody has a job for life, and after a disastrous 4-13 season that followed three years of mediocrity, Kraft simply had enough of the gold standard in the league suddenly becoming a laughing stock.

“This is a results business, and certain things in life, it’s instinctual. I think both of us felt that the time was right for each of us to go off in our separate directions,” Kraft said while answering questions for about 20 minutes Thursday. Belichick and Kraft both gave shorter statements at a press conference at noon before Kraft welcomed the media back later on.

“…The last few days since Monday, since we’ve been thinking about it and talking about it, I think our relationship went to a new place, because, this is very hard,” Kraft added. “It’s like a marriage, and things don’t always go great. And, you get through the difficult times, and it makes the relationship stronger. I think we had a chance to do that over the last almost quarter of a century. So, I think both of us felt that at this point in time, it was in our mutual interest to each go our own way. But, knowing that we have that bond and foundation, it’s really hard in this business to create – very hard.”

Thursday was a surreal day for anyone who’s rooted for or covered the Patriots over the last 24 years. It was even more surreal for Bill Belichick – who seemed to get a bit emotional during his farewell press conference – and Robert Kraft. The days leading up to Thursday’s final divorce may have been even tougher.

“You know, we have had a partnership where we’ve gone through all kinds of situations. This was really unique. You know, I have a saying, when I’m making important decisions, I try to ‘measure nine times and cut once’, because you want to be sure,” Kraft added. “This is one of those times we went through the season we went through, which is three seasons like this, and you realize how capable (Bill) is. You know, you try to understand why you wound up where you are, and it just is something that it was best we each moved on.

“I think that’s what the last three, four days of taking the time to figure it out allowed us to do.”

Kraft reiterated in his closing remarks how much owning the Patriots means to him and his family, and when answering a question about what he’s looking for in the next head coach, it was clear that ultimately, winning is the only thing that matters.

“…I’ll just say we’re looking for someone who can help us get back to the playoffs and win. Believe me, after my family, this is really one of the two most important assets in my life,” he said. “I am very upset when we don’t win games. It carries the whole week. So, I promise you I’ll be focused to do the best I can do to make sure we’re putting ourselves in the best long-term position to win for many years.

“I always say I had a greater chance of being a starting quarterback in the NFL, believe it or not, because there are 32 of them, than owning a team in my hometown and having the privilege of doing it as a custodian of the Patriots and then never imagining that we would go to the Super Bowl ten times and I’m so happy for that. I promise you our family will be dedicated to doing the best we can and bringing a winning team back.”