BR will be under a lot of pressure next year, especially if we don't end up in the EL. He has said that a year out of europe will be good for us it will allow us to concentrate on the league and push on. If we don't move forward next season, despite not having the 'distraction' of european football, BR will have a lot of explaining (and CV writing) to do.
The "Spin Doctor" has managed to turn the possibility of not qualifying for Europe into a positive.
How much further can we fall.