Southampton would have hoped for a much more stable and promising return to the Premier League this season, but it has been far from the success they would have dreamt. After 26 games played, the Saints only have nine points to show, and even after a change of manager, still no progress has been made.
Where did it all go wrong?
In 2023, Southampton ended their 11 years stay in the Premier League, with their worst season to date. It came as a shock to some, but Southampton fans knew that relegation had been something the club had been flirting with for the previous years and was inevitable. Although in the pre-season before relegation, Southampton were bought out by Sport Republic, a multi-club ownership model, who were focused on the ‘moneyball’ approach to football, with previous Brentford FC chairman Rasmus Ankersen spearheading the new investment. Fans thought this would be the chance to cement their place in the Premier League, but it was only the start of a downward spiral.
To many Saints fans, it looked like Sport Republic would be their saviour, after appointing Jason Wilcox as director of football, a man known for his part in Manchester City’s youth programme. Wilcox brought in many highly talented young players, along with highly talented scout Joe Shields having a brief stint at the club. Shields and Wilcox were both able to utilise their Manchester City connections, signing prospects such as Gavin Bazunu and Romeo Lavia. The summer transfer window prior to the 2022-23 season saw the Saints spend over £100million in one window, a first for the South Coast strugglers. It seemed like the first time in a while Southampton had owners who cared about the club and wanted to push on forward. However, the signings made of highly talented youth prospects may sound like a good idea, it comes with great risk. The Premier League is no doubt the biggest league in the world, and comes with huge pressure and responsibility, something that younger players will have never experienced to such a high level. It is a huge ask of such young players to be able to step up and handle the pressure of playing in an established Premier League side. Gavin Bazunu, for example, his highest level of Professional football was in League one. Signing such a young and inexperienced player to be your first choice goalkeeper is pure naivety from the decision makers at Southampton football club. You must wonder, surely they could see it coming?
It is fair to say that Southampton’s final season in the Premier League was nothing short of a catastrophe. There was a fair share of positive glimpses. Romeo Lavia had a standout season, showing that this approach of signing younger players can have some success, but shouldn’t be relied on. Poor managerial decisions, such as Nathan Jones being trusted to lead the Saints, was also a major reason for such disappointment. Jones didn’t last long, with fans not understanding the appointment in the first place. By the time Sport Republic came to their senses, it was too late. Southampton’s fate was sealed, and they would once again be a Championship club.
A fresh start on the South Coast
Being a Championship club represented a fresh start for the Saints, a change of style. And that started with the Russell Martin appointment. Followed by a huge fire sale, selling all valuable assets such as Romeo Lavia and Tino Livramento. Russell Martin acquired familiar faces such as Flynn Downes and Ryan Manning in hopes of making the transition to possession football simpler.
Russell Martin was a manager who brought controversy to fans and had fanbases cut right through the middle. His football was brave, divisive and also self-inflicting. His idea of football was an idea that fans could get behind, it was simple, keep the ball. Martin had been known in the pyramid for his high possession football, having topped the possession charts in his first ever managerial role at MK Dons. Although, his idea of possession football was something that could be much more different to the average fan’s perspective. It wasn’t the possession football you would see at top level clubs, where players are attacking minded, and want to go forward. No, Russell Martin had a much simpler idea, keep the ball, take no risks and protect that ball.
Throughout their promotion season there were many ups and downs, starting off the season in poor form. Saints lost 5-0 to Sunderland, and this possession football didn’t seem to be working out. Saints looked doomed, but with a bit of patience and trust in the manager, their fortunes soon turned round. Saints put together a 25-game unbeaten streak and were able to secure themselves promotion via the play-offs back into the Premier League. From the outset it looked like a successful season for the Saints, but at times it looked quite the opposite, being exposed often in their lacklustre defending, whilst also losing key backroom figures Jason Wilcox and Joe Shields.
Backroom issues
Losing key figures in Jason Wilcox and Joe Shields meant that Southampton’s summer recruitment would look very different, as Rasmus Ankersen would be in charge of the clubs signings. Southampton also were in a tough squad building state, with a large set of players needing to be offloaded before even thinking about bringing in players through the door. Instead, Martin wanted to stay faithful to those who got the side promoted, meaning that the Championship level players would need to adapt and improve quickly to the level of the Premier League. Some more experienced signings were made, such as Adam Lallana and Charlie Taylor on free contracts.
The poor recruitment in the summer led to a squad not fit for the Premier League, with only few players boasting Premier League experience. So far this season, none of the players have stepped up, and Southampton being highly reliant on 18 year old academy player Tyler Dibling says it all really about the level of players. The downfall of Southampton falls under a combination of factors- poor management, poor recruitment and overall poor management in the boardroom. Russell Martin must take blame for his naivety in thinking his possession football would work against Premier League opposition and refused to change his approach. Ultimately, this poor management of his squad saw him lose his job after a humiliating 5-0 loss to Tottenham and only gaining five points.
Is there time to turn it around?
Ivan Juric was trusted to take over, but has also struggled in the League, and Saints sit on nine points after 26 games. At the rate the Saints are going, it looks like they could claim the unwanted record of fewest points in a Premier League season.
Ivan Juric hasn’t hidden from the issues within the club, stating:
“It’s been a disaster, there is a structural problem.”
Of course, there are many issues within the club that needed to be resolved, and there have been some backroom changes, as Johannes Spors has been hired as new technical director, boasting experience at RB Leipzig. Spors will have a big first job at hand, likely preparing the club for their Championship return.
Southampton have left themselves with a tricky task, needing to make up a 13 point deficit with 12 games left of the season to avoid relegation, a task that has never been done before. Fans consider their club to be down and out for this season, and the mentality of the players themselves shows they think the same, with a catalogue of spiritless performances, including their recent 4-0 thrashing by Brighton on February 22.
What is next?
There hasn’t been much to shout about at Southampton this season, and fans are at an all time low with their connection to the club. The constant staff leadership and managerial changes in past times have made it increasingly difficult to form bonds with players and managers.
However, there is one thing all fans can agree on, and that is that this season is a write off. The club have little to no chance of surviving within the Premier League this season, and most of the fans have their eyes set on the Championship next season, and want to fall in love with their club again.
