Manager Martin Jol believes Fulham are better off for the departure of striker Bobby Zamora.
The 31-year-old left Craven Cottage for west London rivals QPR this week, moving for a fee that could be worth more than £6million.
There has been much speculation in recent months of a rift between Zamora and Jol, although the pair have always been quick to play down such talk.
The latter was again coy when asked about their relationship but admitted it was a good time for the striker to leave.
"The talk of a rift wasn't just over the past couple of weeks, it was over the last couple of months and probably since August," Jol said.
"Bobby wanted to move so we had to wait for a good offer and QPR made a good offer. It was only a matter of making a decision of whether to keep him or let him go.
"I had the opportunity to get somebody else, who is a bit younger in Pavel [Pogrebnyak].
"I think in the games he played he always gave 100 per cent but if players ask for a move you get the impression [he doesn't want to be here].
"If you ask your boss to move, I think he will get the impression you don't want to work for him. That is the only impression I got. He wanted to move."
Jol added: "We have a good atmosphere here, a good spirit and they all want to play for the club.
"You have to appreciate for me the most important thing is that they want to play for Fulham and that they want to play with their heart."