sportbible
SOUTHAMPTON has parted ways with Russell Martin merely an hour after enduring a significant 5-0 defeat against Tottenham last night.
Martin, who led the Saints to promotion last season, managed to secure just one win in 16 Premier League matches and leaves the club with only five points on the board.
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No team in the Premier League has ever escaped relegation from the position Southampton currently finds itself in.
Among the supporters, there were some boos directed at the former Swansea manager — with some fans even leaving the stadium as early as 26 minutes into the match at 4-0 — and a banner emerged reading “RM: Get out of our club!”
When asked about his future after the Spurs match, Martin responded: “Not a clue, no. Not a clue. You’re speaking to the wrong man.”
In reaction to the fans’ boos, Martin said: “I’ve always fought hard in my life and my career, and we will keep working and fighting until I’m told otherwise.”
“I don’t really have a response. The fans have been fantastic since we arrived.”
“I acknowledge the frustration. I also recognize what the modern world of football entails. So other than that, I have no significant reply.”
Last season, Martin guided Southampton to an impressive 25-game unbeaten run en route to promotion via the Play-Offs.
However, his rigid commitment to a risky style of play and inadequate summer recruitment led to Southampton’s worst season start in history.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM SOUTHAMPTON
THE Saints announced Russell Martin’s departure on Sunday night with the following statement:
We confirm that we have made the challenging decision to part ways with our Men’s First Team Manager, Russell Martin.
As we approached the start of the season, we all recognized the hurdles ahead as we adjusted to competing at the highest level, in one of the most competitive leagues worldwide.
Nonetheless, the reality of our situation is clear. The board has supported Russell and his staff and has remained open and transparent regarding our expectations. We collectively acknowledge the urgency needed to achieve results to make improvements.
We would like to sincerely thank Russell and his staff for all their hard work and dedication on and off the pitch over the past 18 months. Everyone connected to Southampton FC will always cherish the memorable moments from last season, especially the Play-Off Final triumph in May.
Current Under-21s Manager Simon Rusk will take charge of the team on an interim basis until a permanent manager is appointed.
Behind the scenes, we are hopeful about the continued development of talent within our Academy. We are proud of the contributions our young players make and are confident this will remain a source of strength and pride for all associated with the club.
We are extremely grateful for the unwavering support and positivity expressed by our fans. We are witnessing firsthand the significant gap between the Championship and the Premier League, but your understanding and passion, even amid disappointing results, continue to inspire our long-term commitment to the club.
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His departure coincided with the moment second-bottom placed Wolves parted ways with Gary O’Neil.
Southampton’s owners, Sport Republic, who dismissed two managers during their previous Premier League campaign, are unlikely to consider candidates such as David Moyes.
Disgruntled Southampton fans exit St Mary’s just 27 minutes into the Tottenham match following a 4-0 deficit
SunSport understands that a foreign appointment is now the most likely outcome.
Some within the club are keen on Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl, who previously worked as an assistant to Ralph Hasenhuttl during his time at Southampton.
However, attracting a suitable candidate may be challenging given Southampton’s current situation.
The Saints released a statement outlining their reasoning behind the “difficult decision” to part ways with Martin.
Part of the statement read: “As we entered the season, we were all aware of the challenges ahead as we adjusted to competing in the top flight, the most competitive league globally.”
“However, the truth of our situation is unmistakable.”
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