Former MK Dons Head Coach Russell Martin has been sacked by Premier League side Southampton.
Martin leaves Southampton after a year and a half at St Mary’s, with the decision coming less than two hours after the Saints’ 5-0 defeat by Spurs last night (15/12).
Defeat was Southampton’s 13th out of 16 games in the Premier League so far this season, with last season’s play-off winners 9 points from safety and with just 5 points to their name in the whole campaign.
The Saints have named under-21 manager Simon Rusk as interim boss while a new manager is found.
In a statement, Southampton’s board of directors gave their regards for Martin’s work in helping Southampton win promotion last season but that the reality of the situation meant they had to make a change.
The club said, “We can confirm that we have taken the difficult decision to part ways with our Men’s First Team Manager, Russell Martin.
“Going into the start of the season, we all knew the challenges that we would face this year as we readjusted 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 have supported Russell and his staff and been open and transparent regarding our expectations. We have all been on the same page in recognising 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 the club on and off the pitch over the last 18 months. Everyone connected with Southampton FC will always have fantastic memories of last season, especially the Play-Off Final win in May.”
Martin had won promotion from the Championship in his only full season as Saints boss in 2023/24. The South Coast club went on a club record unbeaten run of 25 games in all competitions but finished 4th in the table, although they were able to beat West Bromwich Albion over two legs before beating Leeds United in the play-off final at Wembley last season.
However, the step-up has proved difficult for the Saints and Martin’s possession-heavy football philosophy. Southampton are the Premier League’s lowest scorers so far this season with just 11 goals from 16 games and have struggled to keep clean sheets, with just one in the entire campaign. A 5-0 defeat by Spurs, with the London club scoring all their goals in the first half, proved the final straw for the Saints’ board.
A former Scotland international, Martin had begun his managerial career with MK Dons. Martin was named as the club’s manager in November 2019 as a replacement for Paul Tisdale, with the former Norwich and Wycombe man having joined the Dons as a player from Walsall in January 2019.
At MK Dons, Martin would win 30 out of 80 games in charge, with the side staying up in the shortened 2019/20 season and finishing midtable in the following season. Martin left the Dons to join Swansea City in August 2021, before moving to the Saints at the start of last season after two seasons in South Wales.