Bruce: We couldn’t cope

STEVE BRUCE cast serious doubt on his future at Hull following relegation, saying there were “no excuses” for their failed campaign.

The Tigers boss was left devastated after the goalless draw at home to Manchester United .

Bruce said: “We’ve let the fans down and the raw emotion now is that we simply have not been good enough. In August, I thought we were strong enough to cope and play in the Premier League, but obviously we haven’t been so I will analyse myself more than anybody else.”

Bruce’s previous deal was due to expire at the end of the season before he was handed an extension by controversial owner Assem Allam two months ago.

But Bruce said: “We all know contracts mean nothing in football. He [ Allam] was probably trying to pick me up at the time by offering it to me. I’ve had a terrifi c relationship with the owner, who I’m desperately disappointed for because I’ve let him down.

“The fi rst person I will analyse is myself and I have not been good enough. It’s an awful time and a lot of decisions have to be made. There are a lot of players who won’t want to play here and that’s inevitable.” Allam’s car was surrounded by angry Hull fans after the game and Bruce will speak to him in the next fortnight.

United have confi rmed Radamel Falcao will leave, while David de Gea and Angel Di Maria are also expected to go in the summer . Manager Louis van Gaal said: “I know which players have to go and which players have to come.”