Bill Belichick: Robert Kraft hails departing New England Patriots man as 'greatest coach of all time'

NEW DELHI: In a joint press conference that echoed with the weight of history, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick confirmed on Thursday that they are parting ways after an extraordinary 24-season journey that saw unparalleled success and six Super Bowl victories.
Kraft, who once dreamed of owning the team while sitting in the metal bleachers as a fan in 1971, stood alongside Belichick, the man he called the "greatest coach of all time," to announce the separation.Contrary to rumors of a power struggle, both parties emphasized that the decision was mutual and rooted in a shared understanding that the team needed a new direction.

Kraft acknowledged that the past three seasons' performance fell short of expectations, leading to a critical evaluation of the team's trajectory. Despite the historic success that included 10 Super Bowl appearances, Kraft and Belichick found themselves on different pages regarding the path to restoring the Patriots to championship contention.
A crucial Monday meeting set the stage for the decision to part ways, with both Kraft and Belichick expressing a commitment to embrace change. The Patriots' owner swiftly turned his attention to finding a new head coach, with inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo taking interim coaching duties to start the offseason.
Reflecting on the recent struggles, Kraft admitted that something "wasn't right," prompting discussions with Belichick about whether the issues were rooted in coaching or personnel matters. While the exact conclusion remained undisclosed, the result was a mutual agreement for Belichick to leave the organization.
"I don't think it happened until after the third Super Bowl, he earned it and it worked pretty well most of the time," Kraft said. "I think it's good to have checks and balances."

Kraft acknowledged that he may have granted Belichick too much power over personnel decisions, a privilege earned by the coach after the team's third Super Bowl victory. He emphasized the importance of having checks and balances within the organization.
Belichick, with plans to coach again and chase Don Shula's NFL all-time wins record, leaves behind a storied legacy. Kraft, recognizing the tough past three years, expressed a commitment to fixing the team's trajectory and putting the Patriots in the best position for long-term success.
In discussions about the possibility of trading Belichick, Kraft drew parallels to the decision made when Tom Brady was allowed to leave in free agency, emphasizing that both Belichick and Brady had earned the right to make choices for their future after their immense contributions to the franchise.
(Inputs from Reuters)