Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is photographed in the stands at St Mary’s stadium as the self-professed Southampton fan watches his team relegated to the Championship after a 2-0 defeat to Fulham
- Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was in St Mary’s to watch Southampton against Fulham
- Sunak is a huge Southampton fan and has spoken of owning the club in the past
- The 2-0 defeat saw them relegated from the Premier League after 11 years
Premier Rishi Sunak was one of the spectators at St Mary’s as Southampton’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed.
The Saints’ 11-year stint in the top flight came to an end after the 2-0 defeat to Fulham, and the disappointment came for Sunak, who was a surprise visitor at the game.
His appearance at St Mary’s comes just days after the Prime Minister visited Southampton to discuss plans to expand pharmacy services to free up GPs.
However, goals from Carlos Vinicius and Aleksandar Mitrovic condemned Ruben Selles’ men to defeat, and their inferior goal difference will see the club play championship football next season.
Self-professed Southampton fan Sunak was seen in the stands, dressed in a gray hoodie and jeans, mingling with the supporters and cheering his team against Marco Silva’s side.
Prime Minister Rushi Sunak was on hand at St Mary’s to watch Southampton lose to Fulham
Dressed in a hoodie and jeans, self-proclaimed Saints fan Sunak attended St Mary’s
Sunak waves to supporters as he takes his seats in the stadium before the match begins
Sunak’s allegiance to the South Coast side comes from his father Yashvir, who had a season ticket to Southampton.
The prime minister has previously admitted that for his 18th birthday he was given a card, signed by the entire squad, which became one of his most “precious possessions”.
The 43-year-old’s love for the club is so deep that he previously stated that if he hadn’t become a politician he would have wanted to lead Southampton.
Asked at a hustings event in Exeter last summer, when asked what direction he has taken outside politics, he said: “I’m a huge football fan, I’m from Southampton and if I could lead Southampton.”
Cheered on by a member of the crowd as he allowed in, Sunak added, “Oh wow, is there a Saints fan here?” Look, brilliant.
‘Well, there are three. Astonishing. Well, if I could manage Southampton Football Club I’d be a very happy man.’
Not even the prime minister’s support could help Southampton beat Fulham
Southampton’s defeat to Fulham confirmed their relegation to the Championship next season
Saints fans were far from happy as they left the stadium on Saturday afternoon as the club geared up for next season in the second tier of English football.
The future of manager Ruben Selles remains unclear, with the Spaniard only appointed boss until the end of the season.
He became the club’s third manager of the season following the sacking of Ralph Hasenhuttl and Nathan Jones during the campaign.
Saints are on the verge of losing a host of big names in the summer too, including Romeo Lavia, Armel Bella-Kotchap and Captain James Ward-Prowse.