Ruben Selles has expressed his disappointment that he will not continue as Southampton manager.
Selles says he feels ready to lead the side despite overseeing their meek relegation.
A myriad of bad decisions on and off the field has brought Saints’ 11-year stay in the Premier League to a crushing end.
Ralph Hasenhuttl started the season in charge and was replaced by divisive Nathan Jones, with an initial upturn under Selles quickly flatlining after being handed the job for the rest of the campaign.
Saints were relegated with two games to spare and the club announced on Wednesday that the Spaniard’s contract “will not be renewed when it expires at the end of the season”.
Selles found that out on Monday and will take charge for the final time against Liverpool on Sunday, with Russell Martin then set to come in as Southampton prepare for life in the Championship.
“Listen, I did as much as I can, I show here every weekend with you, I make the team being competitive,” he said. “We didn’t get the football, the results that we expected to have.
“I think you saw an identity, you saw a team that wants to play together. We didn’t make it.
“I tried to put everything every time with this sort of mentality and in that part I did my best and that’s the reality. I cannot change the decision from the owners.
“I still think I’m ready but it’s not my call and, yeah, my feeling right now is just to finish in the best way possible, to prepare the Liverpool game. And then on Monday, we will think about something different.”
