The Football League has announced that Southampton have been relegated from the Premier League after their 2-3 defeat at home to Wolves.
The relegation is the second time in four years that the Saints have found themselves in the bottom division of English football, following their previous relegation in 2016.
The defeat was the fourth consecutive league loss for Southampton this season and they now sit just one point above the relegation zone with just two games remaining in the season.
However, the Saints' fate remains uncertain as they will face West Bromwich Albion on Saturday in the play-off final.
The decision by the Football Association (FA) to award relegation to Southampton follows the announcement that the club had agreed to sell its share of the Premier League rights to a group of investors led by billionaire investor Richard Branson.
The move comes after the club's board decided not to extend the franchise agreement with the FA until 2024.
The Saints have struggled in recent seasons and their record of 28 defeats in 79 matches suggests that they are still a team that can be beaten.
But the relegation will undoubtedly put pressure on the club and it remains to be seen how well they fare against West Bromwich Albion in the play-off final.
In the meantime, Southampton fans can look forward to a new challenge ahead of the upcoming campaign.