Juan Carlos Osorio has revealed the reason for stepping down as coach of New York Red Bulls.

The Colombian, a former Manchester City assistant, told bigapplesoccer.com that he wanted the best for the club when he decided to step aside.

"I thought something needed to be done to shock and shake the players up," he said.

"The most important thing to me was able to prepare the team for the next game," he added.

"I thought something needed to be done to shock and shake the players up. I was told the club was not going to fire me (at the time). I felt I needed to do something.

"When I stepped aside, I felt they would be relieved and there was a sense of urgency.

"I am not surprised the team won two games.

"I expected that to happen. There was no pressure. They used to play with more urgency, with more desire, with more passion.

"I felt they were feeling pressure to keep me in the job. They were panicking and making the wrong decisions all the time."