Juric was appointed as Russell Martin’s successor on an 18-month deal in December but has won just two of his 16 matches.

Sunday’s 3-1 defeat at Tottenham consigned the rock-bottom Saints to the earliest relegation in Premier League history with eight games still to play.

The loss against Spurs was Southampton’s 25th of the season in the league.

“Ivan came to Southampton at a tough time and was tasked with trying to improve a squad in a difficult situation,” Southampton said.

“Unfortunately, we haven’t seen performances progress the way we had hoped, but we would like to thank Ivan and his staff for their honesty and hard work as they fought against the odds to try and keep us up.

“With relegation to the Championship now confirmed, we believe it is important to give fans, players and staff some clarity on the future as we head into a very important summer.”

Simon Rusk is expected to step in as interim manager with Adam Lallana acting as his assistant.

Southampton and Leeds were the last two clubs to have parted company with two permanent managers during the same campaign – both doing so in 2022-23.

Juric lasted just 107 days at St Mary’s and oversaw only one victory in the Premier League – a 2-1 triumph at Ipswich.

His spell in charge is the ninth-shortest reign as a manager in Premier League history.

Rooted to the bottom of the standings on 10 points, Southampton require two further points to avoid beating Derby County’s record-low tally of 11, achieved in 2007-08.

Juric arrived at Southampton having been sacked by Roma in November after only 12 games in charge of the Serie A club.

The 49-year-old has previously held roles in Italy with Torino, Hellas Verona, Genoa, Crotone and Mantova.

Southampton’s Premier League struggles

Southampton won promotion to the Premier League last summer after beating Leeds in the play-offs, however, their campaign in the top flight has been troubled from the outset.

Saints lost eight of their opening nine games, and their 1-0 win against Everton on 2 November was their only victory in their opening 23 league fixtures.

Juric, who had no previous experience in English football, was unable to inspire the squad after replacing Martin in the dugout, losing each of his first six games.

Southampton sat nine points adrift of safety when Juric walked through the doors, but Sunday’s loss against Spurs left them 22 points shy of 17th-placed Wolves.

They are only the third team to lose as many as 25 of their first 31 games of a top-flight campaign, after Sunderland in 2005-06 and Sheffield United in 2020-21 (both also 25).

Southampton have conceded the most goals in the league (74) by far, and are the lowest scorers in the top four divisions of English football (23 goals in 31 games).

No team has ever had fewer points in the Premier League after 31 games (10), although Sunderland in 2005-06 & Derby in 2007-08 had the same tally too.

The Wales forward converted Djed Spence’s cut-back in the 13th minute, before he latched on to James Maddison’s header over the defence to flick in a second three minutes before half-time.

Mateus Fernandes replied in the 90th minute, but Mathys Tel claimed his first Spurs league goal with a penalty in added time to ensure Saints became the first Premier League side to be relegated with seven games left, beating the previous record of six.

A subdued atmosphere hung over Tottenham Hotspur Stadium following another pre-match fan protest against chairman Daniel Levy and discontent with manager Ange Postecoglou, following a run of one win in their last 10 home league games that had left them fifth from bottom at the start of the day.

Spurs started brightly though, with Johnson and Lucas Bergvall creating problems and Cristian Romero’s thumping header forcing Saints goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale into a smart stop from a corner.

Things could have turned sour for the hosts, though, when Kamaldeen Sulemana drifted in at the far post following a rare foray forward for the visitors, but his shot was deflected on to the post by Pedro Porro.

Spurs responded immediately to claim the opener and ease nerves through Johnson’s 10th league goal of the campaign.

Romero was again denied by Ramsdale when another powerful header struck the face of the former Arsenal keeper.

Bergvall thought he had doubled the lead when he bundled home Romero’s knock-down from a free-kick, but the Argentine defender was judged to have been offside after a four-minute video assistant referee (VAR) check.

Boss Postecoglou was visibly frustrated on the touchline, but cracked a smile when Johnson caught the Saints defenders on their heels and slotted past Ramsdale.

Southampton improved after the break and dominated possession, with Fernandes chesting down Sulemana’s cross and firing through the legs of Vicario in the 90th minute for a late consolation.

Ramsdale made five saves – including fine stops from Spence and Dominic Solanke – to keep the hosts at bay, but Tel’s penalty – following a foul by Welington on Johnson – sealed Southampton’s fate with an instant return to the Championship.

Rooted to the bottom on 10 points, Saints now need two more points to avoid beating Derby County’s record-low tally of 11, achieved in 2007-08.

Spurs’ 11th win of the season moved them up to 13th in the table with 37 points.

Tema Youth, a club based in Tema and home to notable players like Thomas Partey, Joseph Paintsil, and other Black Stars talents, now competes in the third division of Ghanaian football.

The club’s downfall began after it failed to compensate Young Red Bulls for the transfer of Joseph Paintsil to Belgian side KRC Genk.

As a result, the club was ordered by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to pay €150,000 to the GFA, but it chose not to comply.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, Osei Palmer expressed his disappointment, saying, “I do not regret doing football while I was at the hospital but my disappointment is how people came together to relegate the team.”

He went on to describe the situation as part of a larger scheme, revealing, “It was a bigger project I was doing but I am well and I will keep on preserving regardless of what has happened.”

Osei Palmer added, “People at the GFA plotted to relegate Tema Youth. I cannot call out names but I was told the people came together to ensure that Tema Youth does not survive.”

He also highlighted issues with the club’s case, noting that five different player passports were presented during the CAS proceedings, which he claimed were fraudulent.

“Even when we went to CAS, we had five different player passports which is not right. I know where these player passports were manufactured,” he added.

Tema Youth, now struggling in the third division, has faced further setbacks, with the club’s points being deducted every time they play a match.

Peter Amidu scored around the hour mark, and Bernard Somuah added a second goal four minutes to the end of the game, sealing RTU’s fate and ending their three-year tenure in the top division.

RTU, currently at the bottom of the league table with 31 points, is nine points shy of the safety zone with two matches left in the 2023/24 season.

RTU has an outstanding match against Dreams FC before concluding their season against Great Olympics.

As for Asante Kotoko, the win moves them to 8th place. They will face already relegated Bofoakwa Tano in their final match of the season.

The Phobians have found themselves mired in a rough patch, particularly during the latter half of the ongoing 2023/24 Ghana Premier League season, securing just one victory in their last five outings.

Their lacklustre displays have left them teetering precariously, a mere two points clear of the relegation danger zone.

The latest blow came in the form of a 2-0 defeat against perennial rivals Asante Kotoko during Matchday 31, amplifying the pressure on the team.

“It’s proving quite a challenge to pinpoint the root causes of Hearts of Oak’s struggles. Yet, there appears to be a noticeable disconnection within the squad,” remarked Moore during an interview with Akoma FM.

Expressing a fervent desire to stave off relegation, Moore emphasized the collective effort required to navigate through this testing period.

“I remain optimistic about Hearts of Oak’s survival prospects. There’s still hope as long as the league remains undecided. It’s crucial that everyone comprehends the magnitude of this task, be it the coaching staff, players, board members, or supporters. My earnest hope is that we rally together and evade relegation. It’s imperative that all hands are on deck to salvage the situation,” he stressed.

Currently languishing in 15th place on the league table with 38 points from 31 matches, Hearts of Oak is gearing up to clash against Nations FC in their upcoming home fixture on May 31st, as part of Matchday 32 action at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Anel Ahmedhodzic gave the visitors a deserved early lead, nodding home Gustavo Hamer’s inswinging cross from close range.

The Blades carved out several opportunities to double their advantage as Newcastle struggled to gain a grip on proceedings, but the home side were level when Alexander Isak drilled home from Jacob Murphy’s pass in the 26th minute.

Ben Brereton Diaz had a goal-bound shot blocked by Dan Burn and Mason Holgate headed against the woodwork on the half-hour mark, but the visitors fell behind early in the second half when Bruno Guimaraes steered Lewis Hall’s delivery into the far corner.

Isak registered his 23rd goal of the season from the penalty spot after Anthony Gordon was brought down by Holgate, before the unfortunate Ben Osborn bundled into his own net for Newcastle’s fourth.

Callum Wilson came off the bench for the hosts to score his first top-flight goal since October.

Sheffield United were awarded a late penalty, but the decision was overturned by the video assistant referee who ruled Magpies substitute Alex Murphy had won the ball in a challenge with Jayden Bogle.

The defeat leaves the Blades 10 points adrift of safety with only three games remaining, while Newcastle stay seventh and are well placed to secure a spot in Europe next season.

A 2-1 home defeat by Fortaleza in their final league match of the season meant they dropped out of Serie A, Brazil’s top flight.

Santos won 12 state titles, six league titles and two Copas Libertadores during their golden era of the 1950s and 60s.

Three-time World Cup-winner Pele died at the age of 82 last year.

Santos, who also produced Brazil’s record scorer Neymar, have suffered financial problems in recent years.

Heading into the final game of the season, America Mineiro, Coritiba and Goias had been relegated.

With Santos level at 1-1, Vasco da Gama – drawing 1-1 with Red Bull Bragantino – occupied the fourth relegation spot in the 20-team division.

But Serginho scored for Vasco in the 82nd minute and a stoppage-time winner from Fortaleza’s Lucero left Santos one point adrift of safety.

Palmeiras were crowned champions for the second season in a row – and 12th in total – thanks to a 1-1 draw at Cruzeiro.

Flamengo and Sao Paulo are the only remaining sides who have never been relegated.

The failure of Everton and Leeds to pick up wins means the second-bottom Foxes could move out of the bottom three on goal difference if they beat Newcastle on Monday.

Draw or lose though, and it will be Everton who remain above the dreaded bottom line going into the final weekend.

“We are pretty much in the last chance saloon with a game against Newcastle,” said Leicester manager Dean Smith.

“Disappointment and frustration are the two words I’d say I’ve seen. But we are running out of games to put that right and the players know that.”

The Toffees scored a 99th-minute equaliser against Wolves on Saturday and manager Sean Dyche says they will fight to preserve their top-flight status.

“It sends another message that we’re alive and ready, we’re taking it on,” he said. “The mentality has got stronger and stronger, particularly away from home.

“I think there’s been an obvious shift, but it means nothing unless we take care of ourselves next week.”

Leeds’ destiny is now out of their hands after slipping to a 3-1 defeat against West Ham on Sunday, leaving them two points behind Everton in 18th place, with Tottenham lying in wait on the final day at Elland Road.

“We slipped up last week when we could have won and today we haven’t shown the quality when needed,” said manager Sam Allardyce. “So next week has to be much, much better.

“The players need to roll their sleeves up, apply themselves in the right way, beat Tottenham and hope other results go in our favour.”

The relegation picture became clearer in Saturday’s late game when Nottingham Forest beat Arsenal 1-0 to secure their place in the top flight for next season, meaning is two from three to decide who will join already relegated Southampton in the Championship.

How it stands

Nottingham Forest (16th, 37pts)

Safe

Nottingham Forest are in the Premier League for the first time since 1998-99 after winning promotion from the Championship last season and Steve Cooper signed 30 players in a bid to keep them in the top division.

He achieved that aim with a game to spare after Taiwo Awoniyi’s goal sealed victory against the Gunners that also secured the Premier League title for Manchester City.

Still to play: 28 May: Crystal Palace (a)

Everton (17th, 33pts)

Everton podcaster Ped McPartland tells The Football News Show his club are “facing a crisis”

Everton’s results improved after Dyche became manager at the end of January following the sacking of Frank Lampard, but not enough to steer them clear of trouble.

They were seconds away from defeat against Wolves, but only time will tell how crucial Mina’s late goal will be.

“The mood around Goodison Park would have hit the floor had they left Molineux with the defeat that would have left their Premier League existence even more fragile,” said BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty.

“Instead, Mina pounced in a crowded scene to give Everton a point that may yet prove priceless as they go into their final home game against Bournemouth.

“Goodison Park will be full of passion next Sunday as Everton hope they can make their third last-day escape of the Premier League era.”

Still to play: 28 May: Bournemouth (h)

Leeds United (18th, 31pts)

Jesse Marsch was sacked as manager in February with Leeds on a seven-game winless run but, after an encouraging start, things got tough for new boss Javi Gracia and he was subsequently replaced by Allardyce.

Leeds boosted their survival hopes with a spirited 2-2 draw at home to Newcastle at Elland Road last weekend, but Sunday’s defeat away at West Ham means their fate is now out of their hands.

The Whites finish the season at home to Tottenham Hotspur.

Winger Luis Sinisterra, whose goal against Leicester on 25 April was his third in five games, isn’t available for the run-in owing to an ankle ligament injury, but Junior Firpo is available for the Spurs game after missing the West Ham defeat with a one-game ban.

Still to play: 28 May: Tottenham (h)

Leicester City (19th, 30pts)

Leicester finished eighth last season and reached the Europa Conference League semi-finals, but they made an awful start to this campaign, picking up only one point in their first seven matches.

Manager Brendan Rodgers has been replaced by Smith until the end of the season, but they have dropped into the relegation places.

Leicester have an array of attacking talent, but their problem has been conceding goals, having failed to keep a clean sheet in their past 20 matches.

Still to play: 22 May: Newcastle (a); 28 May: West Ham (h)

Southampton (20th, 24pts)

Relegated

Southampton will be playing Championship football in 2023-24 after a 2-0 loss to Fulham on Saturday extended their winless streak to 11, including eight defeats, and confirmed their relegation.

They are another side on their third manager of the season after they sacked Ralph Hasenhuttl in November.

He was replaced by Nathan Jones, who only lasted eight Premier League matches and picked up one win before he was also dismissed.

Ruben Selles, assistant manager under Hasenhuttl, was next in line, but he has not been able to keep them up.

Still to play: 21 May: Brighton (a); 28 May: Liverpool (h)