Lee Bowyer has told talkSPORT he has ‘never felt so low in my life’ following Charltons relegation from the Championship.
The Addicks lost 4-0 to Leeds – Bowyer’s former club – on Wednesday night to send them crashing straight back down to League One.
It has been a tumultous season for the south London club on and off the pitch, with Bowyer having to contend with numerous boardroom fall-outs, chaos behind the scenes and a transfer embargo.
Bowyer is heading straight back to League One with Charlton – but will he stick around?
Speaking to Jim White on Thursday morning, the Charlton boss admitted: Ive never felt so low in my life. Im not in a good place today.
“We have had to juggle a lot. There is so much that has gone on that no one even knows about. It has been frightening really, it is scary to see that things like this happen behind the scenes at a football club.
“I feel for everyone behind the scenes. We have a group of players and fans that care so much. All we wanted was to be given a fair chance but it felt like backs against walls all the time and the rug getting pulled from beneath us.
“I said to [assistant] Johnnie Jackson last night, could we have done more? And Johnnie said we are getting blood out of a stone with this group of players. We were pushing and pushing them and couldnt get any more out of the them. We just needed help.
“We couldnt bring players in this January when we desperately heeded help. We had no help. If you keep cutting corners, this is what happens.”
Bowyer signed a new long-term contract in January following East Street Investments’ takeover of the club.
The former England midfielder is set for showdown talks with Charlton owner Paul Elliott later today over his future, with fears the club could be plunged into administration.
“Im going to speak to Paul Elliott,” he said.
“I have to be fair. Paul Elliott didnt have to step up and and he stepped forward and put money in the bank. What will happen now. I dont know. Paul comes across as a nice man.
“I will chat with him now and see what is going to happen going forward. We are still under an embargo –  we cant plan for next season. We cant make any plans.
Charlton were hammered by Leeds and Barnsley’s victory over Brentford meant they were relegated
“We are losing so many players, loan players and players who are out of contract. How are we meant to rebuild? I dont know what is going to happen. I just feel for everybody at the club.”
Bowyer hailed his bond with Charlton fans while remaining coy on his future.
He said: “The game last night was frightening. The difference between the two teams was unreal.
“I played there [at Charlton] as a kid and came back as manager. We went into the play-offs and won promotion in my first full season. I will always have that bond there.
“There have been some great times this season too, some great performances. But I dont know [about my future].
“Its not the right time to talk about my situation. The most important thing is I speak to Paul and see where we go. I have never felt so low in my life.