Alan Pardew: "I have had seasons with the same amount of problems as I have had this year, which have been many, regarding injuries and form.
"But people forget this is my first European campaign.
"I had one go at Europe before and we didn't get through the qualifying games, so this was my first season's experience of that and I will have gained from that.
"It's been a massive learning curve in terms of what a European campaign brings to the group, the added pressures it brings, and that's something I am pleased I have got now, because I didn't foresee it being as problematic as it was.
"Mike and I will sit down as soon as we know what division we're in.
"We need to find out what the reasons were and then it's for Mike, and hopefully with me, to decide how to go forward. It's a privilege and honour to be manager of this club.
"But Mike could decide he needs a new manager. I like to think that he won't, that next year he'll stay with myself.
"It's very difficult of get rid of great players. Here, we have moved on one or two great players - Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton, Andy Carroll - they are great players and we moved them on.
"You do lose great players and it's about replacing them and getting the right feel.
"In the summer at this football club, we need to look very, very carefully at next year to make sure we enhance the group we have got with the right signings.
"To ask the French players to play the games they have with no experience of the Premier League and a completely different way of playing football, trust me, it's been amazing, some of the performances they have put in.
"They have had some down days - they were going to - but they will certainly be better for it."