Eric Simons buckled under mounting pressure and resigned as South Africa's coach on Friday after a string of poor results.
"At some point one takes accountability and there needed to be a change," Simons told Reuters. "There needs to be a spark in the side."
Simons became coach in June 2002, since when South Africa have slipped from second to sixth place in the International Cricket Council Test rankings and from second to sixth on the one-day ladder.
Simons, whose contract was due to run until next April, also presided over South Africa's first-round exit from the 2003 World Cup.
Team manager Tim Southey's contract was also terminated, the United Cricket Board (UCB) said in a statement.
South Africa leave on November 11 to play two Test matches in India. The UCB is scheduled to name a new management team later on Friday. South Africa 'A' coach Ray Jennings is the popular frontrunner to succeed Simons.
"I've always had other (business) interests outside of cricket," Simons added. "I don't know whether I'll stay involved in cricket."
The final nails in his coffin were a 5-1 loss in a one-day series in New Zealand in February and March, and a 5-0 one-day whitewash in Sri Lanka in August.
South Africa also lost their first Test in New Zealand in drawing that series, while losing the Sri Lankan Test series.
"We put a lot of effort into what we did, but I don't think in sport hard work is rewarded with success every time," Simons said.
He added in a UCB statement: "Despite the run of poor results I believe in the systems and processes we implemented over the last 18 months, and it was frustrating that they did not produce the desired results sooner.
"Like all cricket loving South Africans I have been very disappointed at the way things have gone on the field."