LONDON (AP) – No late escapes this year, Sunderland is leaving the Premier League.
The northeast club is returning to the second tier after a decade in world soccer’s richest league.
Relegation was confirmed with four games remaining in the season after a 1-0 loss to Bournemouth on Saturday.
American owner Ellis Short doesn’t mask the problems engulfing the club, saying “significant work” is now required to secure an instant return to the Premier League.
“I acknowledge that during my ownership mistakes have been made, particularly in the area of player recruitment, and as a result we have found ourselves struggling to survive in recent seasons,” Short said. “We had massive disruption during the summer transfer window and an unprecedented number of injuries throughout the season. These are difficulties which we have been unable to overcome and we are paying the price for that now.”