Bednarek explains what Southampton must do following relegation

Bednarek, 28, has now suffered two relegations at Saints, with the latest demotion to the Championship being confirmed on Sunday following a 3-1 defeat to Spurs.

Saints have only won 10 points so far this season and became the first team relegated after 31 games.

And they could yet set a new record-low points total, something which interim boss Simon Rusk must discover a way to avoid.

Bednarek, who has worn the captain's armband this season, called on Southampton's players to enjoy being in the Premier League before their Championship return.

Speaking after the defeat at Spurs, Bednarek said: "Let's be honest, today is just official, but we knew for a few weeks that relegation was coming.

Southampton's Jan Bednarek (right) reacts after Tottenham Hotspur's Brennan Johnson (not pictured) scores their side's second goal of the game. (Image: Bradley Collyer/PA)

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"It was just a matter of time. Next season we will be in the Championship and it is the beginning of something new. We have to build something good around the club.

"We can't change the past; the only thing we can do in the last seven games is to enjoy being in the Premier League.

"We have to improve as players and as a club. Hopefully, we are going to build something great.

"The best thing is that we can learn, we can work hard, and we can improve. Hopefully, we can perform better in the last seven games.

"We want to get more points, I don't think 10 is enough. Hopefully, we will get more points."

Bednarek signed a new contract at Southampton this season, keeping him at the club until 2027, and rejected a move to Rome in the winter window.