Southampton have sacked manager Russell Martin following Sunday's 5-0 Premier League defeat to Tottenham.
The Saints conceded all five goals in a torrid first half at St Mary's – with the first coming after just 36 seconds – to consign them to a 13th league defeat of the season.
Southampton sit bottom of the table with just five points, nine points adrift of safety, and have won just once in the Premier League this season – a 1-0 win over Everton in November.
They have conceded 36 goals while scoring 11 in the league, with Southampton averaging just 0.31 points per game in the top flight since their promotion.
The home fans booed Martin during and after Sunday's match, although he acknowledged their frustration in his post-match comments.
“After the first goal our reaction was very poor,” he said.
“I got injured in the first half. As a group we did not respond well to the setbacks. We've seen that all too often this season.
“It's disappointing because we had been working on a plan. We trained for a week and the players were part of that process, but we didn't perform with anywhere near the intensity or aggression that we needed. I didn't recognize our team in the first half.
“The fans were great in the second half. Really good.
“I understand that [the boos] is not personal. It hurts both me and the team, but I understand.
“We have no choice but to keep working and fighting. That's what I've done in this job and I'll keep doing it until I'm told not to.”
Southampton confirmed that under-21 manager Simon Rusk will take charge on an interim basis, with an EFL Cup tie against Liverpool on Wednesday and a trip to Fulham in the Premier League coming up.
“At the start of the season we all knew the challenges we would face this year as we adjusted to life at the highest level and competing in the best and most competitive league in the world,” said Southampton in a statement. declaration.
“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.”
Comments