Southampton looked destined to drop back into the Championship for large portions of the campaign but a late escape helped them just about manage to secure their Premier League status for another season.
The decision to change the coach in the final two months ultimately proved to be the right one. Having let go Claude Puel for what the club perceived to be less than exciting football, Southampton brought in Mauricio Pellegrino to fire them back into European contention. But they were in trouble right from the start, with a second round exit from the League Cup to Wolves giving early warning signs.
Southampton did pick up victories with some regularity, especially against teams who were also struggling for form. A decent run of results at the start of the new year raised hopes of a turnaround, but a heavy defeat to Newcastle United left the Saints on the verge of dropping into the bottom three, resulting in Pellegrino's sacking with the Argentine coach being replaced by Mark Hughes.
Southampton took their time to settle under Hughes and a return of just one point from his first four games in the Premier League meant that the Saints were cut adrift from safety.
Hughes though was able to turn things around just in time, as crucial victories over Bournemouth and fellow relegation strugglers Swansea City saw the Saints climb out of the relegation zone, thanks to some key displays by Dusan Tadic who ended the campaign with six goals and three assists.
Though their final game did end in a defeat, Swansea too failed to pick up any points which helped Southampton clinch their Premier League status for another season.
