Southampton’s relegation from the Premier League is CONFIRMED after loss to Fulham… ending their 11-year stay in the top division following turbulent campaign
- The Saints trail Everton in 17th place by eight points with two games left to play
- They have had three managers in what has been a difficult season for the club
- A summer rebuild awaits as they search for a new boss for the season ahead
Southampton‘s relegation from the Premier League has been confirmed after their defeat to Fulham on Saturday.
What looked like it would be the inevitable was finally made official following a dire performance at St Mary’s, leaving their status in the Championship official for next season.
Ruben Selles’ side, who are bottom of the Premier League, find themselves eight points off of Everton in 17th with two games remaining, meaning their 11-year stay in the top division is over.
The Saints had just one shot on target in a game they had to win on Saturday, frustrating fans that were left more disappointed than angered.
The club have a huge rebuild ahead of them as they search for a new permanent manager, with Selles, who is on a deal until the end of the season, likely to be replaced.
Southampton’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed on Saturday afternoon
The club had spent 11 years in the Premier League but the period is over after a tough year
Ruben Selles took over earlier this year but has been unable to transform the club’s fortunes
The Saints have been through three managers this season, starting with Ralph Hasenhuttl before he was sacked, with Nathan Jones appointed.
Jones disappointed in the dugout and in the press, and his reign was short as he was too let go by the club.
Selles won against Chelsea early in his reign and appeared to have united the squad and have the fans onside, but the defeats soon returned and 24 losses so far this season is a new club record for the most in a season.
Club captain James Ward-Prowse told Sky after the game: ‘It’s disapponting. It’s a moment thayt’s been coming. We knew we put ourselves ina difficult position.
‘When these things happen you go away as a club and individually and think if you have done everything you can to achieve the goals and I don’t think we have. That’s a shame, because it’s all about having no regrets, and that’s caught up with us.
‘As a team and a club overall we will think about the season. Have decisions been right? Have we been good enough on the pitch? From the first day of pre-season you could feel that the standard of the club slipped away and that’s why we are where we are now.’
The Saints barely threatened against Fulham, who were by far the better side at St Mary’s
Selles tried to console his players after full time as fans made their feelings known from the stands
Saturday marked the side’s latest disappointment as they lost 2-0 to Fulham, with Carlos Vinicius opening the scoring just after half time.
They barely threatened against Marco Silva’s side and were branded ‘hopeless’ by Jeff Stelling on Sky Sports, with Aleksandr Mitrovic returning from his eight-game ban to make it 2-0 on 72 minutes.
While the club have continued to lose, others around them have picked up vital points. Michael Dawson urged the club to go down with ‘fight rather than a whimper’ on Sky, but the loss to Fulham summed up their season.
The full time whistle saw Saints players fall to the floor with boos heard around the ground, but in truth the club’s fate was accepted week ago and preparation for next year can now commence.
