It's natural for some relationships to just run their course and things end amicably. That appeared to be the case for ESPN's Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman on First Take.

Speaking to Chris "Mad Dog" Russo on Russo's SiriusXM show Thursday, Stephen A. said things had gotten to the point where a change needed to be made.

"I was very honest about me saying that I thought the show needed the change," Smith said (via Mediaite). "But what I also said to the bosses was, I think our time together has passed."

He added while they're not considered good friends, their relationship is on a level of mutual respect.

"I wouldn't classify it as good or bad," he said. "We don't communicate, but we're very respectful towards one another. We say hi to one another when we see each other, but we go our separate ways."

Smith said it has always been funny to him that there are people out there who think Stephen A. has the power and authority to hire and fire co-hosts. He told Russo that management Smith works under will take his input into consideration.

"I've often laughed at that notion," he said. "It's not to say that I don't have any influence, but by influence it means I have their ear."

"But the final call is not mine," he added. "I work for ESPN, it's not the other way around."

Smith said the decision for Kellerman to leave First Take was the correct move, because the show has gotten better and Kellerman hosts two shows a day, Keyshawn, JWill & Max on ESPN Radio and This Just In for TV.

"I think I've been proven to be right," Smith said. "I think that First Take needed a fresh start, that has been proven. And I also predicted that he would be incredibly successful, which he has been."