This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
It’s now been a decade since Southampton were regulars in the top 10 of the Premier League and competing in European competitions.
The Saints had four consecutive campaigns finishing between sixth and eighth in the top flight in the mid-2010s, reaching the EFL Cup final and playing in the UEFA Europa League during that time. However, as more money was pumped into top sides, Southampton slipped away.
Five of their six Premier League campaigns before their 11-year stay ended in 2023 resulted in bottom-six finishes, and their return last season ended in instant relegation and only narrowly avoided beating Derby County’s lowest-ever points tally in the division.
The days of competing with England’s elite seem a long time ago now, and FLW’s Saints fan pundit, Martin Sanders, doesn’t envisage them coming back any time soon, especially if Dragan Solak remains the owner following Sport Republic’s takeover in January 2022.
In that time, Southampton have twice suffered relegation from the Premier League and Sport Republic’s ownership has been the subject of critique from supporters, with promotion clearly needed this season to rebuild that relationship.
Southampton FC glory days return ruled out under Sport Republic
Despite every Southampton fan hoping that they can return to the heights of Europe, Sanders is being realistic when he looks at the club’s chances of that happening.
The Saints have started the new Championship season on the back foot under Will Still, and the fan pundit believes that there’s more of a likelihood of that continuing than them returning to their former glory.
“I’ll be honest, I’m not going to dress it up any other way and say we will, because I don’t think we will [get back to being a top-half Premier League team],” he said.
“As things stand and if they don’t improve, we’ll be a mid-table, top-half Championship side.
“To get to the dizzy heights of the Premier League, if we were to get promotion, we’d need investment, and the owner, Dragan Solak, has said that he would, to really establish themselves in a European position.”
However, with the quality at the top end of the Premier League improving year upon year, it’s difficult to see clubs breaking into that mould, unless they have serious financial backing behind them.
Sanders feels that, unfortunately, just having added investment won’t be good enough for the current owners, and someone with more behind them would need to take over for it to occur.
“As the years go by, it gets harder and harder, so do I think we’d be able to do it under this ownership?” Sanders questioned.
“I don’t think so, personally. That’s my opinion,” he answered.
Southampton FC can take some hope from Dragan Solek’s investment plans
After what was truly a dreadful return to the Premier League, many felt that Dragan Solek, who has owned Southampton since December 2021, would look to move on. However, this doesn’t seem to be the case, and he’s instead hoping to learn from past mistakes if the Saints were to return to the top flight.
He said over the summer that he has no plans to sell, but he may think about inviting investment partners if the club are promoted once more to help build “more base to invest in and be even better.”
For Southampton fans, seeing their owner look determined to put right the wrongs of last season as and when they do end up back in the top flight can be encouraging, as it indicates the idea that he wants the club to do well, and it isn’t just a simple cash draw for him.
As for returning to Europe, that may not be on his mind right now, as the focus predominantly is on getting back to the Premier League and then staying there.
When that is achieved, maybe then the club will look to climb back to being among the best clubs in the country. Then, Solak may look to move on, with the club in a healthier position than it was when he bought it.
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