West Bromwich Albion chairman Jeremy Peace has put his hand up for his role in last season's struggles.
He issued a statement in the match programme for the opening Premier League game of the season against Sunderland to accept responsibility.
He said: "Last season's campaign was one of the least enjoyable I have experienced in my 12 years as chairman.
"The anguish and tension that at times filled the stadium did not stop at the directors' box, where the consequences of losing Premier League status are with us every waking hour.
"West Bromwich Albion is a club about to begin its fifth consecutive season of Premier League football and that is no small achievement when you take account of the intense competition around us.
"But in order to maintain this profile, everyone - absolutely everyone - at the club has to perform to maximum efficiency and last season we didn't.
"I freely admit that I was among those who got things wrong and as chairman, that weighs heavily with me."
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