Southampton relegated from Premier League following Fulham defeat

The Saints drop down to the EFL Championship after a 11-year stay in the top flight

Southampton were demoted from the Premier League after defeating 2-0 at St Mary's against Fulham.

The Saints have had a terrible season, with a youthful side that has failed to gel through three different managers - Ralph Hasenhuttl, Nathan Jones, and Ruben Selles.

Southampton could not anymore finish above 19th with just two matches remaining. This implies that the south coast club is participating in the Championship for the very first time after finishing second in the top level in 2011/12.

Following a poor performance against St Mary's, what appeared to be the unavoidable became official, confirming their Championship status for next season.

Ruben Selles' club is bottom of the Premier League, eight points behind Everton in 17th place with two games left, ensuring their 11-year time in the top flight is finished.

On Saturday, the Saints had only a single shot on goal in a game they needed to win, upsetting fans who were more disappointed than angry.

The team faces a massive overhaul as they look for a new permanent boss, with Selles, who is under contract until the completion of the season, set to be replaced.

Jones underperformed in the bench and in the spotlight, and his tenure was cut short when the club let him go.

Selles prevailed against Chelsea earlier in his reign, appearing to have united the squad and gained the support of the fans, but the defeats quickly returned, and the club's 24 losses this season set an all-time high for the most in a campaign.

After the game, club skipper James Ward-Prowse addressed Sky Sports: '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.'

Saints players fell to the turf as the final whistle blew, with whistles heard across the stadium, but the club's destiny was decided a week before, and preparations for next year can now start.