West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo could not hide his "sadness" after the club were relegated from the Premier League on Sunday's final day of the season despite a 3-0 win at home to Leeds.
Second-half goals from Taty Castellanos, Jarrod Bowen and Callum Wilson gave the Hammers a glimmer of survival hope at the London Stadium.
But West Ham, in addition to defeating Leeds, needed capital rivals Tottenham to lose at home to Everton in order to stay up and send Spurs down instead.
Tottenham, however, won 1-0 to finish two points above relegated West Ham.
"We are sad, we are disappointed but sadness is what we feel," Nuno told the BBC. "We knew that our mission was tough, it was not in our hands. We did our part but it was not enough.
"We have to apologise to our fans and thank them for all their incredible support," added the Portuguese coach, who praised his side for finishing the season with "character and dignity".
"We did our part, it didn't happen," he said. "But I'm proud of the boys, it was a tough, tough day. We apologise for the situation but the club is the fans and they are going to be needed."
Nuno, turning to the prospect of West Ham playing second-tier football next season following a 14-year stay in the Premier League, said: "It's going to be tough. Tomorrow and after tomorrow is going to be even tougher when you realise what you have ahead.
"West Ham is a Premier League club and deserves to be in the Premier League.
"Out of respect for everyone, we cannot look to the future now. We go to the sadness in the days ahead – and then we'll look to the future.
"It has to be after, not today. Tomorrow is another day."