McLardy announced his resignation on Friday – the same day Demons officials met with the AFL to discuss the struggling club's future – but is adamant he was not pushed out of the job.
In an interview on Saturday, McLardy said the time was right for him to depart.
"I can honestly say there was no pressure from within. The best thing for the footy club is to allow the new leadership to come in and actually go ahead again," McLardy told 3AW.
"If you're not 100 per cent committed it can drain you."
The change in thought process came about partly because McLardy is selling his business, but also because he doesn't feel he has the necessary dedication.
"I think I've run out a bit of energy and, over the last couple of months, I've been thinking the best thing for the footy club, over the next two to three years, is that you need someone who's got the drive and the passion to keep going."
McLardy would not speculate on the future of coach Mark Neeld and would not be drawn on the recent reappointment of Chris Connolly that his board had overseen.
Connolly, the club's former football operations manager, had his contract extended by two years recently, despite admitting to being heavily involved in the club's "tanking" debacle.
McLardy also said he does not regret the comments he made at his final president's address last Sunday, in which he had a dig at Jeff Kennett – a candidate for McLardy's old job.
Kennett said on Saturday that he is the best man for the job and would know on Monday or Tuesday whether he had the support of influential Melbourne people to endorse his candidacy.
Ben Guthrie is a reporter for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_BenGuthrie
