The statement dropped a couple of hours after Southampton’s fate was sealed. It contained all the usual platitudes: the inevitable ‘disappointment’ at relegation following defeat by Fulham.
The call for ‘unity’. The nod to everyone’s ‘tireless’ work. The acknowledgement (or excuse?) that ‘the Premier League is the most competitive league in the world’. The vow to ‘learn’ lessons. The promise of change and better days ahead.
It was co-signed by Southampton’s lead investor Dragan Solak, chairman Henrik Kraft and director of football Rasmus Ankersen.
Crucially, though, there was no attempt to apportion responsibility.