Southampton have fired manager Russell Martin after Sunday's 5-0 win over Tottenham.
The result leaves Southampton bottom of the Premier League and nine points adrift of safety. Under-21 manager Simon Rusk will take over on an interim basis, starting with Wednesday's Carabao Cup quarter-final against Liverpool, live on Sky Sports.
There were audible boos directed at Martin by Southampton fans during and after Sunday's match. Responding, Martin said in his post-match press conference: “The fans have been great to us since we've been here from day one.
“I understand the frustration, I also understand the modern world and football and what it is and what it's about.”
But shortly afterwards he added: 'As a person [it doesn’t hurt] a lot. But as a manager, if I put my ego into it, it hurts a lot because you work so hard every day.
“Of course it hurts because we work so hard. But you have to accept it as an essential part of football and it is what it is.”
Asked if fans would get their wish, he said: “No idea, mate. No idea. You're talking to the wrong man.
“But it's not personal; I don't know them, they don't know me. So it's a criticism of the work I do, I understand that. I don't think you can criticize someone if you don't do that.” I know them, so it's critical of the work I do.”
Martin's departure was announced by the club less than 90 minutes after the whistle.
Appointed in June 2023, Martin led Southampton to promotion via the Championship play-offs but has just one win and 13 defeats to his name from 16 Premier League games.
Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was a pundit for TNT during the match. Before the resignation was announced, he said full-time: “I feel very sorry for Martin.
“I think the boys are still looking for him. I don't think there's any mention of anything about Russell Martin.
“The fans deserve better and they stay with us, and we have to move on very quickly for Wednesday.”
The full statement from Southampton
“We can confirm that we have made the difficult decision to part ways with men's first team manager Russell Martin.
“At the start of the season we all knew the challenges we would face this year as we adapted to life in the top flight and competed in the best and most competitive league in the world.
“However, the reality of our situation is clear. The board has supported Russell and his staff and has been open and transparent about our expectations. We were all on the same page in recognizing the urgency of needing results to improve.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank Russell and his staff for all the hard work and dedication they have given to the club on and off the pitch over the last eighteen months. Everyone associated with Southampton FC will always have fantastic have memories of last season, especially the victory in the play-off final in May.
“Current U21 manager Simon Rusk will take charge of the team on an interim basis until we announce a permanent replacement.
“Behind the scenes we are encouraged by the continued development of talent through our Academy. We are proud of the contributions our young players make and are confident this will continue to be a source of strength and pride for everyone involved with the club .
“We are also very grateful for the continued support and positivity from our fans. We have witnessed first-hand the significant gap between the Championship and the Premier League, but your understanding and passion, even if the results are not what we all want, continues to drive our long-term commitment to the club.”
Saints' sad season in the statistics
Analysis: Low moments outweighed fleeting glimpses for Martin this season
Sky Sports' Dan Long:
Russell Martin had so much credit in the bank after being promoted to the Championship for the first time last season that when their first season in the Premier League didn't go quite to plan at first, the Southampton hierarchy stuck with their man.
He stuck to his principles and continued to play the possession-based game he is known for even when the chips were down and the doubters were not there, determined to make it work.
There have been fleeting moments of promise, that much is true, but the low moments have far outweighed them.
They were top early on against Manchester United in September, but a missed penalty changed the game and they were defeated 3–0. A month later they were 2-0 up against Leicester, seemingly on course for their first win, but somehow ended up losing 3-2. They took on Liverpool at the end of November – shortly after losing only 1-0 at Man City – but mistakes that day cost them dearly.
There were some boos when Tottenham scored the opener on Sunday night, but there was a mass exodus when they found themselves 4-0 down inside half an hour – as did the first real scream for Martin's head, which grew louder and more intense throughout the match. game. After the whistle – at which point he had already disappeared into the tunnel – cameras picked up a banner reading “RM Get Out Of Our Club”.
At his post-match press conference, the 38-year-old spoke about how “as a manager it hurts a lot” to hear the chants, although he made it clear he did not take it personally. “It's not personal; I don't know them, they don't know me. So it's a criticism of the work I do, I understand that,” he said.
Asked if fans would get their wish, he added: “No idea, mate. No idea. You're talking to the wrong man.” Unfortunately for him, the right person fulfilled the fans' wish just an hour after he said those words.
Southampton's upcoming matches
Wednesday 18 December: Southampton vs Liverpool – Carabao Cup quarter-final, kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports
Saturday 22 December: Fulham vs Southampton – Premier League, starts at 2pm, live on Sky Sports
Thursday 26 December: Southampton vs West Ham – Premier League, kick-off 3pm
Sunday 29 December: Crystal Palace vs Southampton – Premier League, kick-off 3pm
Saturday 4 January: Southampton vs Brentford – Premier League, kick-off 3pm
Sunday 12 January: Southampton vs Swansea – FA Cup Third Round, kick-off 4.30pm
Comments