Russell Martin: Southampton sack manager with club bottom of Premier League after Tottenham hit

Southampton sacked manager Russell Martin after their 5-0 thrashing by Tottenham on Sunday.

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 season finale against Liverpool, live on Sky Sports.

There were audible boos aimed at Martin's Southampton fans during and after Sunday's game. In response, Martin said in his post-match press conference: “The fans have been amazing to us since we've been here from day one.

“I understand the frustration, I also understand today's world and football and what it is and what it is about.

Soon after, however, he said: “As a man, (it doesn't hurt much).

“Obviously, that hurts because we work so hard. But you have to accept it as a necessary part of football and that's how it is.”

When asked if the fans would get their wish, he said: “It's not a clue, mate. It is not a clue. You are talking to the wrong person.

“But it's not personal; I don't know them, they don't know me. So it's a criticism of the work I'm doing, I understand. I don't think you can criticize anyone when you don't do that. know them. So it's a criticism of the work I'm doing.”

Martin's departure was announced by the club less than 90 minutes after the full-time whistle.

Martin, who was appointed in June 2023, led Southampton to promotion through the Championship play-offs, but has overseen just one win and 13 defeats in 16 Premier League games.

Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was his expert TNT during the game. At full-time, before the sack was announced, he said: “I feel very sorry for Martin.

“I think the lads are still trying it. I don't think there's any question about Russell Martin.

“The fans deserve better and they are sticking with us, and we need to move on very quickly before Wednesday.

The Southampton Report in full

“We can confirm that we have made the difficult decision to part ways with our first men's team manager, Russell Martin.

“Going into the start of the season, we all knew the challenges we would face this year as we adapt to life in the top flight, competing 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 been open and transparent about our expectations. We have all been on the same page recognizing the urgency of the need for products to improve.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank Russell and his staff for their hard work and dedication to the club on and off the pitch over the past 18 months. Everyone associated with Southampton FC will have fond memories of last season. , especially the final victory in the playoffs in May.

“The current U21 manager, Simon Rusk, will be in charge of the team on an interim basis until we appoint a permanent replacement.

“Behind the scenes, we are motivated by the continued development of talent coming through our Academy. We are proud of the contribution of our young players and we are sure that this will continue to be a source of strength and pride for everyone associated with the club.

“We are also extremely grateful for the continued support and encouragement shown by our fans. We see for ourselves the big gap between the competition and the Premier League, but your understanding and commitment, even when the results are not what we all want. , continue to drive our long-term commitment to the club.”

Saints' tough season in stats

Southampton have only conceded 11 goals in 16 games this season – three fewer than any other team in the Premier League. The total of 36 goals conceded is the second highest, behind Wolves' 40.
Only Derby County (-32 in 07/08), Sheffield United (-29 in 23/24), Barnsley (-29 in 97/98) and Sheffield Wednesday (-26 in 99/00) have has had a worse goal difference since then. 16 Premier League games than Southampton's -25 this season.
Southampton have failed to score in seven of their 16 games. Only Everton (eight) have failed more times in the Premier League this season.
Southampton are the only team in Premier League history to go into half-time losing by five goals on more than one occasion, doing so against Leicester City in October 2019 as well as against Tottenham on Sunday night.
Southampton have made more mistakes leading to shots (27) and more mistakes leading to goals (11) than any other team in the Premier League this season.

Analysis: Low times were overshadowed by highs and lows for Martin this term

Sky Sports' Dan Long:

Russell Martin had as much faith in the bank after promotion from the Championship at the first time of asking last season, when their first season back in the Premier League had not to go as planned at the start, Southampton's hierarchy were stuck with the men.

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 out in force, determined to make it work.

There have been promising times, that's true, but the low times far outweigh them.

They were on top early against Manchester United in September, but a missed shot turned the game and they were beaten 3-0 on aggregate. They were 2-0 up against Leicester with over an hour to go a month later, seemingly for their first win, but somehow lost 3-2. They joined Liverpool at the end of November – shortly after losing 1-0 away at Man City – but mistakes proved costly that day.

There were some boos when Tottenham scored in Sunday night's opener, but a mass exodus followed when they were 4-0 down inside half an hour – as did the first real calls for Martin's head , which became louder and more intense during the season. game After the full-time whistle – by which time he had disappeared down the tunnel – cameras raised a banner that read “RM Get Out Of Our Club”.

In his post-match press conference, the 38-year-old spoke of “as a manager, it hurts a lot” to hear the chants, although he made it clear he did not take it personally e. “It's not personal; I don't know them, they don't know me. So it's a criticism of the work I'm doing, I understand,” he said.

Asked if fans would get their wish, he said: “It's not a clue, mate. It's not a clue. You're talking to the wrong person .” Unfortunately for him, the right man granted his fans' wishes just an hour after he spoke those words.