Monday 25 May 2015 08:09, UK
Steve Bruce says he may not be the man to lead Hull in the Sky Bet Championship after they suffered relegation.
A goalless draw against Manchester United might have been a respectable result at any other time, but the Tigers had to win on the final day of the season to stand any hope of survival.
And with the only side they could catch, Newcastle, also winning, Hull's fate was sealed even before the final whistle at the KC Stadium.
Their two-year stay in the top flight is over, and Bruce warned "cuts are inevitable" on the club staff, which could mean players leaving, and suggests his own position may be vulnerable.
Asked about whether he would want to lead Hull in the Sky Bet Championship, Bruce said: "That's not for me, that's for others to decide.
"Cuts are inevitable because we haven't got the finances we have in the big league. There's a lot of talking and soul-searching to be done in the next few weeks. It's all bitter and sad at the moment.
"I'm sure there's a few conversations to be had and we'll have to have them in due course."
Hull ended the season three points from safety on 35 points after they failed to match late season surges by both Leicester City and Sunderland.
Bruce admitted that his side have fallen short this season.
"We all - and me being the manager I have to take the brunt of it - we haven't been good enough," he said.
We can look for all sorts of excuses: injuries, suspensions, this, that and the other, but it boils down to not being good enough.
"I thought at the start of the season we'd have enough to try and make sure we stay in the division. We always know at a club like ours it's going to be difficult but we honestly believed we had enough.
"We haven't done enough - it's as simple as that.
"We can look for all sorts of excuses: injuries, suspensions, this, that and the other, but it boils down to not being good enough and me in particular, that goes for me at the top of that.
"I don't think it's a time now for excuses: I think you have to take it on the chin and take your medicine.
"If you've got anything about you then you have to come back as strong as you possibly can. I'm exhausted at the minute but I'll have a break and see where that leaves us."
