Pardew: Meyler headbutt cost Newcastle
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew said his misdemeanour at Hull City in March was the catalyst for the club's poor run-in.
After their resounding 4-1 win at the KC Stadium, the Magpies lost seven of their next eight games, before beating Cardiff City 3-0 in their penultimate league clash to sew up a top-10 finish.
However, Pardew - who is under pressure to retain his job - took responsibility for his side's season, claiming his headbutt on Hull midfielder David Meyler was the beginning of the end for the Tyneside outfit.
"It's a contrasting season. The first half, I actually felt we played not far from our top level for most of that," Pardew said.
"But in the second half we haven't been good enough, I haven't been good enough and the results have followed.
"I've obviously let myself down on the touchline, for sure.
"The Hull incident was obviously a turning point I definitely didn't want to have. I think that affected me and the team.
"I will make sure that never happens again. It stands out, if I'm honest, from anything else."
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Pardew said he did not believe reports Newcastle had approached Saint-Etienne coach Christophe Galtier.
"I don't know who he (Galtier) would have spoken to, but there are only one or two people who really matter here and I don't think they have spoken to him. But that is part of business," he said.
"Chairman, chief executives, managers, will all have a look at this season and draw breath a little bit, about how to go forward together and make sure that everyone is doing it with honesty and integrity.
"I think a couple of managers lost their jobs this year when really and truly, were they treated with the right integrity and honesty?"