Promotion winner Slaven Bilic admitted Nottingham Forest’s failure to secure a place in the Championship play-offs was unbelievable.
The West Brom boss guided his side through a tense 2-2 draw with QPR at the Hawthorns, a result which was enough to send the Baggies back to the Premier League in second place, after Brentford were beaten 2-1 at home by Barnsley.
Forest, meanwhile, collapsed in the final 20 minutes against Stoke City at the City Ground - going from 1-1 on 71 minutes and safely nestled in the play-offs, to losing 4-1 and being dumped out by Swansea.
And Bilic, who enjoyed his first taste of management in England’s second tier, but is a relieved man to say goodbye to it.
"What a season and what a league,” said the Croatian.
"I said I would like to manager in the Championship because it's a very difficult league.
"I loved it but I couldn't imagine it was this difficult and demanding.
"I couldn't enjoy every minute but a finish like this, not only our result but also there are results at the bottom, Forest's situation, it's unbelievable.
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"We should have done better against them, Birmingham and Huddersfield but it is a difficult league. It is not easy to win a football game in this league.
"I am extremely proud, we done a great job. I am proud of my staff, the club and my players.
"We have done something special for this wonderful club."
