Rio Ferdinand, one of my colleagues during the World Cup, tweeted about my "send-off in the Shack" (a "shack" pretty much summed it up) and I confess that a great time was had by all and I have no idea what time we left the place!
But Rio, and Twitter, are two of the factors which prove to me that the time is right to move on after more than two decades.
Rio and I have played the game at the back at the top level for the biggest clubs and we see and say many of the same things, but Rio brings a freshness to it and ensures that what he says sounds different to what I say, even if we are saying the same thing. I have had my time and now others like Rio will come along and do the same.
The viewing public have not got rid of me forever because I will dip in and out of television in the future.
As mentioned earlier, Twitter has changed everything, to the point whereby you not only have to make sure that what you say is right, but also that you say nothing wrong.
There has never been a hiding place in the media, but nowadays, you can find yourself being judged within 10 seconds of publication or broadcast.
It is a different world, but throughout my time with this column and Match of the Day, there is probably only one thing that I regret saying - and it is not that you cannot win anything with kids!
Four years ago, I said that Theo Walcott did not have a "football brain", not realising my comments would be misinterpreted so greatly.
The meaning of my observation was not as brutal as it may have come across, but nonetheless, I was critical of Walcott's ability and I am pleased to say that Theo has proved me completely wrong.
I have met him since and there has never been a problem between the pair of us. I am delighted with how he has developed as a player.
England may have performed better at this World Cup in Brazil had Walcott been fit and able to play a part, with his cruciate ligament injury ultimately costing him his place.
But it has been a memorable World Cup and, despite missing out on my dream send-off of Brazil in the final, I cannot complain at the outcome.
Germany have been thoroughly deserving champions, but the abiding memory for me will be a negative one because of the way Brazil capitulated in the semifinal.
I grew up with memories of the 1970 Brazilian team which won the World Cup in Mexico, watching Pele score a stunning header in the final against the Italians and then Carlos Alberto's incredible fourth goal in the same game. To see them humiliated against Germany in Belo Horizonte left me distraught.
It has been a tournament in which the superstars such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar performed in fits and starts. Even the Germans, the best team in the competition, struggled to impress against the likes of Ghana, Algeria and the United States. But the overall quality of games and goals has made this World Cup memorable.
I have been delighted to be a part of it with the BBC and the Telegraph. I always prefer to look forward, though, and I know I will not miss it. Telegraph Group Ltd
