Southampton are returning to the Championship bruised and hurt after an incredibly difficult season in the Premier League.
After Adam Armstrong’s 24th minute goal in the play-off final against Leeds United 12 months ago, there was renewed hope that the Saints were going to get back to their usual ways in the top flight after a very poor 2022/23.
However, Southampton only narrowly beat Derby County’s record-low points tally, and they ended their time in the Premier League with yet another defeat, as Simon Rusk watched on in interim charge as the Hampshire outfit finished on just 12 points.
Life back in the Championship will be tough, and the Rams will be keeping a keen eye on the Saints next season after they broke another of their records on Sunday afternoon.
Southampton are record-holders in the Premier League for yet another reason, Derby County fans will be glad
It’s been a campaign to forget for Southampton, and with Will Still now in charge, they have a huge summer ahead of them to fix the myriad of problems that they have faced over the course of the last nine months.
Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images
Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images
After becoming the earliest team to have been relegated by gameweek, as they confirmed their place in the Championship after just 30 matches, they have now taken yet another record off of Derby following Arsenal’s 2-1 win at St. Mary’s Stadium on the final day of the season.
The Rams previously held the record alongside Sheffield United (2023/24) and Sunderland (2005/06), but their supporters can now rejoice in losing their place in an unwanted history.
2007/08 was a desperate season for Derby, and it will forever go down in infamy, but Southampton came close to matching that legacy and they may find it tough to recover.
Will Still has a huge task on his hands
After officially being announced by the Saints ahead of kick-off against Arsenal, Still has a massive job to try and change the philosophy at St. Mary’s Stadium this summer.
Derby know how tough it is to recover from a year as disappointing as the one that Southampton have endured and there is no quick fix, but plenty of new faces will be needed once the EFL transfer window officially opens.
All eyes will be on the Rams’ clashes with the Saints in the Championship in 2025/26, and after John Eustace’s incredible turnaround with the club, they will be looking to push further up the table come August.
Nevertheless, it cannot be overstated how hard this season will hit Southampton, and a post-mortem will be in order sooner rather than later.