Former Southampton striker Charlie Austin felt the club's long-term errors eventually caught up with them.

Saints' relegation was confirmed after defeat to Fulham on the weekend.

"I think it was almost like a season too far for them and this season it finally happened," Austin told talkSPORT.

“They've been losing too many players and then you have to look at the recruitment - was it better than the players they've lost? And the togetherness - any team that goes through three managers in a season - that's not a good look for any team.

“I understand that players take blame more so for not performing but if you choose three managers…

“You go through it with Ralph (Hasenhuttl) being there for so long and then they decide to sack him midway through and then they appoint Nathan Jones, which didn't look great from the start. And then he gets the sack.

“Then you've got to start looking above. I understand the players need to take blame, of course they do. But three managers in a season, that's not great at all."