Southampton Football Club have announced the departure of manager Russell Martin following a disastrous start to their Premier League campaign.
The decision comes as the Saints find themselves bottom of the Premier League table with just five points from 15 matches. The 37-year-old manager, who joined the club in June 2023 on a three-year contract, had initially led Southampton to Premier League promotion through a memorable play-off victory last May. Despite this early success, the team has struggled to adapt to the demands of top-flight football, managing just one victory in their Premier League campaign.
The final straw came after a 5-0 hammering Saints received at home to Tottenham this evening, which Martin himself described as “embarrassing” in the first half. The club has appointed Under-21s Manager Simon Rusk as interim manager while they search for a permanent replacement.
Southampton’s board released a statement at 10pm on Sunday evening acknowledging the significant gap between Championship and Premier League football, while emphasising their continued commitment to youth development through their Academy system. Despite the challenging circumstances, Martin’s tenure will be remembered fondly by many Southampton supporters for last season’s promotion campaign. The club has expressed gratitude for the dedication shown by Martin and his staff during their 18-month stint at St Mary’s.
The search for a new permanent manager begins immediately as Southampton look to turn around their Premier League fortunes and maintain their top-flight status. The new appointment will face the immediate challenge of bridging the quality gap that has become evident in the club’s return to the Premier League.
Favourites for the job include David Moyes and Graham Potter.
