"Up until this weekend, we've always had to have in the back of our minds what might happen if we did manage to stay up," he said after the 2-0 defeat at St. Andrew's.
"But now everything can start in terms of next season. We can really start now with our plans and be a bit more open about it.
"The players are obviously hurt. It has hit them hard. When they get home they will realise that we are no longer a Premiership outfit.
"There will be a hollow empty feeling, one they should not enjoy. They should feel horrible.
"But perhaps what has happened will help as a motivational factor as they will now want to experience that again."
BIRMINGHAM MATCH REPORT