How Southampton Owners Have Ruined The Club

Southampton FC, once a stable Premier League club known for developing top-tier talent, now finds itself on the verge of another relegation. Under the ownership of Sport Republic, the club has suffered from poor decision-making, managerial instability, and a recruitment strategy that has backfired spectacularly. Fans who once had high hopes for the new ownership now point to their mismanagement as a key reason for the club’s decline.

Southampton’s Premier League record under Sport Republic’s ownership:

84 matches
13 wins
14 draws
57 defeats
78 goals scored
176 goals conceded
15.5% win percentage
53 points from a possible 252
2 relegations*#saintsfc pic.twitter.com/v9UAjpyOUR

— SaintsExtra (@SaintsExtra) February 25, 2025

A Promising Start That Quickly Soured

When Sport Republic, led by Serbian businessman Dragan Šolak and football executive Rasmus Ankersen, acquired Southampton in 2022, there was cautious optimism among supporters. They spoke of a data-driven approach to recruitment and a multi-club model that would strengthen the Saints in the long run. However, these grand promises have failed to materialize.

Instead of stability, Southampton have seen a chaotic revolving door of managers. Ralph Hasenhüttl, who had kept the club afloat in previous seasons, was dismissed in November 2022. His replacement Nathan Jones proved disastrous, lasting just three months before being sacked. Ruben Selles then took charge but was unable to prevent the club from being relegated from the Premier League at the end of the 2022/23 season.

Hoping to bounce back to the top flight quickly, the owners appointed Russell Martin as manager for the 2023/24 season. However, his tenure has been plagued by inconsistency, tactical naivety, and questionable squad decisions. As the season nears its conclusion, Southampton find themselves in a terrible position, staring at the real possibility of failing to secure promotion back to the Premier League if things do no drastically change.

📊 Southampton’s key metrics in the Premier League this season under Russell Martin and after his departure #saintsfc [sky] pic.twitter.com/2GVQ4UbB0t

— SaintsExtra (@SaintsExtra) March 10, 2025

A Shambolic Transfer Strategy

One of the biggest criticisms of Sport Republic’s ownership has been their handling of transfers. While Southampton once had a reputation for smart recruitment, recent windows have seen reckless spending on unproven players and a failure to address key weaknesses in the squad.

In the summer of 2023, the club spent heavily on young talents such as Shea Charles and Ryan Manning while losing key figures like James Ward-Prowse and Romeo Lavia. The idea of building for the future is admirable, but these signings failed to provide the immediate impact required for a promotion push. The result? A team that lacks leadership, experience, and the quality needed to fight for automatic promotion.

Additionally, the owners’ insistence on following a multi-club model has been questioned. Rather than focusing on Southampton’s urgent needs, resources have been spread thin, with investment going into other clubs within the Sport Republic portfolio. Fans rightly feel that their club is being treated as an experiment rather than a priority.

The club's approach to player valuations has also raised eyebrows, most notably in their £100 million price tag for 19-year-old winger Tyler Dibling. Despite his limited first-team experience and a modest goal record, Southampton has placed an astronomical valuation on the youngster, deterring potential buyers. This unrealistic pricing not only highlights the owners' disconnect from the market but also suggests a reluctance to build a sustainable, well-balanced squad. Instead of strengthening key areas, the club appears more focused on inflating player values than addressing urgent tactical needs.

🚨 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Southampton are ready to demand a fee of more than £100m for Tyler Dibling (19), reports @TeleFootball.

It's further added that Southampton believe Dibling is one of the best youngsters in English football. pic.twitter.com/pxr6vdc9nw

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) March 26, 2025

Disconnect Between Owners and Fans

Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of the Sport Republic era is the growing disconnect between the club and its supporters. Communication has been sparse, and decisions that impact the club’s future seem to be made without consideration for the fanbase.

The departure of long-time CEO Martin Semmens was a blow, as he was seen as a bridge between the club’s hierarchy and the fans. His replacement, Phil Parsons, has failed to provide the same level of engagement and transparency. The frustration has only grown as results have worsened, with supporters left feeling like they have no voice in the club’s direction.

What ever is said about @martin_semmens he did have to steady the ship during a very unstable time, covid plus difficult times under the ownership of Gao Jisheng #SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/a99sH8iihn

— Martin Sanders (@FootballMartin_) May 22, 2023

Where Does Southampton Go from Here?

With Southampton on the brink of another relegation, the outlook is grim. If the owners do not learn from their mistakes and make immediate changes, the club risks falling into a long-term downward spiral. The first step would be to establish a clear footballing identity, hire a competent manager who can bring stability, and overhaul the flawed recruitment strategy.

For now, Saints fans can only hope that Sport Republic recognizes the urgency of the situation before it’s too late. If not, Southampton FC could be heading into an even darker period, with their Premier League return feeling further away than ever.

Understand Saints are set to part ways with head of recruitment Darren Mowbray.

Mowbray had joined from Aberdeen in July 2023, initially serving under Jason Wilcox.

Technical director Johannes Spors overseeing and assessing club processes.#SaintsFC

— Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) March 28, 2025