Russell Martin has been sacked by Southampton after the 5-0 defeat to Tottenham.
The Saints suffered the humiliating defeat at home on Sunday evening and shortly afterwards the club confirmed that they had parted ways with the coach.
In a statement they said: 'We can confirm that we have made the difficult decision to part ways with our 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 adjusted 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 have all been 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.
“Anyone associated with Southampton FC will always have fantastic memories of last season, especially the Play-Off Final victory in May. Current Under-21s 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 coming 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.”
More to follow…
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