David Moyes declared on Wednesday that he was "proud" to have managed Manchester United, but said that he understood the "frustration" that had led to his dismissal.
Moyes, 50, was sacked by United on Tuesday after a dismal 10-month tenure in which the reigning champions slumped to seventh place in the Premier League, denying them a place in next season's Champions League.
"During this period of transition, performances and results have not been what Manchester United and its fans are used to or expect, and I both understand and share their frustration," Moyes said in a statement released by the League Managers' Association (LMA).
"I have always believed that a manager never stops learning during his career, and I know I will take invaluable experience from my time as United's manager.
"I remain proud to have led the team to the quarter-finals of this year's Champions League and I remain grateful to Sir Alex Ferguson (his predecessor) for believing in my ability and giving me the chance to manage Manchester United."
The LMA, the trade union for managers working professionally in England, criticised United for the "unprofessional manner" in which Moyes was dismissed.
Chief executive Richard Bevan said the organisation was "very disappointed" that "extensive reports in the press" had announced Moyes's sacking before he "had been spoken to officially by the club".
Although reports about Moyes's departure first emerged in the British media on Monday afternoon, he did not learn of his fate until early on Tuesday morning.
Responding to Bevan's comments, United said that they had not acted irresponsibly.
"We do not accept that it was handled in an unprofessional manner," said a spokesperson.
"The decision was not taken until late Monday night and was communicated face-to-face first thing on Tuesday morning.
"When reports started emerging on internet news sites on Monday afternoon, no decision had been taken at that time."
Ancelotti 'on United shortlist'
Moyes added: "Taking charge after such a long period of continuous stability and success at the club was inevitably going to be a significant challenge, but it was one which I relished and never had a second thought about taking on.
"The scale of the manager's job at United is immense, but I have never stepped away from hard work and the same applies to my coaching staff. I thank them for their dedication and loyalty throughout the last season."
British newspaper reports on Wednesday claimed that Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has been identified as a potential candidate for the United job.
Several papers said that Ancelotti was being considered for the vacancy, along with Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal, who emerged as the early favourite for the post.
However, whereas Ancelotti, the former Chelsea manager, is less than a year into a three-year contract at Madrid, Van Gaal is scheduled to step down from his position with Holland after this year's World Cup in Brazil.
Van Gaal, 62, is currently on holiday in Portugal. Dutch tabloid Algemeen Dagblad reported that he was "maintaining radio silence".
Long-serving midfielder Ryan Giggs has been placed in interim charge of first-team affairs "until a permanent appointment can be made", United said.
The 40-year-old Welshman, who became a member of Moyes's coaching staff at the beginning of the season, is expected to address the media for the first time since taking up his new role on Friday.
Giggs will be assisted by Phil Neville and Chris Woods, both of whom kept their jobs on United's back-room staff despite having been brought in by Moyes, as well as youth-team coach and former team-mate Nicky Butt.
However, Steve Round and Jimmy Lumsden, who were also appointed by Moyes, have both been fired.
Another of Giggs's former team-mates, Paul Scholes, has also been drafted in to provide support.
"It's great to see Paul Scholes here at the Aon Training Complex today, assisting Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville," United said in a message on the club's Twitter feed on Wednesday.
News of Moyes's departure met with a favourable reaction on the New York Stock Exchange, where United's shares rose six percent to their highest level since Ferguson's retirement last May.
AFP
Wed Apr 23 2014
Kerja ganti paip lama di Seluruh Sarawak bermula tahun ini
Sarawak akan memulakan kerja-kerja penggantian saluran paip lama sepanjang 2,740 kilometer di seluruh negeri itu bermula tahun ini.
Julaihi beri jaminan bekalan air di Sarawak pada Hari Raya mencukupi
Menteri Utiliti dan Telekomunikasi Sarawak mengingatkan orang ramai supaya elakkan pembaziran meskipun bekalan air ketika Hari Raya nanti dijamin mencukupi.
90 peratus kawasan terlibat kebakaran hutan berjaya dipadamkan
Operasi pemadaman kebakaran hutan di Kuala Baram sejak seminggu lalu berjaya dengan 90 peratus api dikawasan terjejas berjaya dipadamkan.
Pembantu bengkel diberkas, bakar mercun tengah jalan
Tindakan seorang lelaki membakar mercun di tengah jalan ketika menyertai perarakan mengiringi upacara pengebumian dekat pekan Banting di sini mengundang padah apabila diberkas polis pada Rabu.
El Nino: Al-Sultan Abdullah tinjau Sungai Pahang, titah adakan solat hajat
Sultan Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Riayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah berkenan meninjau Sungai Pahang yang dilaporkan surut akibat fenomena El Nino.
Hujan roket Hizbullah gegar utara Israel
Pejuang Hizbullah pada Rabu melancarkan kira-kira 30 roket dari Lubnan ke kawasan utara Israel selepas gerakan disokong Iran itu berikrar untuk 'menghukum' rejim Zionis.
Tol percuma sempena Aidilfitri 8, 9 April - Alexander
Pengguna lebuh raya membabitkan kenderaan persendirian (Kelas 1) diberi kemudahan tol percuma selama dua hari iaitu 8 dan 9 April bersempena dengan sambutan Aidilfitri tahun ini.
Penstriman haram: Jangkitan malware berisiko akibatkan kecurian, penipuan identiti pengguna
Awas dan jangan mudah terpedaya dengan sebarang akses haram yang menawarkan pelbagai filem dan siri televisyen kerana ia mungkin menyimpan perisian hasad atau malware.
Insentif cukai baharu untuk syarikat berstatus Malaysia Digital
Perbadanan Ekonomi Digital Malaysia (MDEC) akan memperkenalkan insentif cukai baharu kepada syarikat berstatus Malaysia Digital (MD) dan syarikat berstatus Koridor Raya Multimedia (MSC) sedia ada.
Gentari setuju saranan tubuh konsortium bantu pemain solar - DPMM
Gentari Sdn Bhd menyatakan persetujuannya dengan saranan untuk mewujudkan konsortium dianggotai pemain industri solar.
Moyes enggan layan desakan letak jawatan
West Ham tewas 0-2 kepada pasukan bawahan Liga Perdana Inggeris (EPL), Nottingham Forrest semasa kunjungan ke City Ground pada Sabtu.
Liga Europa: West Ham-Olympiacos risau ancaman samseng bola sepak
Bola sepak di Athens bergolak selepas perlawanan pada Ahad lalu terpaksa ditangguhkan selepas seorang pemain lawan terkena mercun.
EPL: West Ham rasa teraniaya
Mohammed Kudus masuk sebagai pemain gantian untuk jaringan EPL sulungnya - seminit sebelum tamat permainan.
UEL: David Moyes puji aksi Mohammed Kudus bantu West Ham atasi TSC
David Moyes puji Mohammed Kudus selepas pemain Ghana itu membantu West Ham bangkit untuk menewaskan TSC Backa Topola.
UECL: Moyes teruja hadapi final bertemu Fiorentina
West Ham akan menentang kelab Itali, Fiorentina dalam perlawanan akhir Liga Conference Europa di ibu negara Czech awal pagi Khamis.
EPL: Moyes pertikai keputusan aneh VAR ketika West Ham tewas kepada Brentford
Nasib sekali lagi tidak menyebelahi The Hammers apabila jaringan mereka dibatalkan dengan sebab yang boleh dipertikaikan malam tadi.
Moyes, Tuchel beza pendapat VAR batal gol West Ham
Drama tercetus apabila VAR membatalkan gol rembatan Cornet, selepas Jarrod Bowen dikesan terlebih dahulu mengasari Eduoard Mendy.
Harga Rice meningkat kepada lebih RM828.2 juta
Kontrak ketua pasukan kelab London itu berbaki dua tahun lagi dengan pilihan melanjutkannya selama 12 bulan lagi.
Sadiq Khan kecewa David Moyes benarkan Zouma beraksi
Beliau yang ditemu bual Sky News baru-baru ini menjelaskan, apa yang dilakukan oleh Zouma itu satu tindakan yang keji.
Moyes akhirnya tewaskan Mourinho
Moyes meraih kemenangan pertamanya ke atas Mourinho selepas 16 percubaan untuk mencemar perlawanan EPL ke-50 pengurus itu sejak mengambil alih Spurs.