Southampton have sacked manager Russell Martin following Sunday’s 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur.
The defeat, which he saw Spurs scored all five goals in the first halfit was Southampton’s 13th in the 16 Premier League games they have played this season, leaving them nine points adrift of safety.
having seen Wolves ax coach Gary O’Neil earlier, the former Bournemouth boss pays the price of a quarter Premier League back-to-back defeat against Ipswich Town on Saturday – Saints have opted to pull the trigger themselves, removing Martin from the role he had held for 18 months.
“We can confirm that we have taken the difficult decision to part ways with our men’s first team manager, Russell Martin.” Southampton statement read “At the start of the season, we all knew the challenges 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 has been supportive of 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 past 18 months. Everyone associated with Southampton FC will always have a fantastic memory of last season, especially the Play-Off final win in May.”
After confirming the appointment of Under-21 coach Simon Rusk on an interim basis, Saints added: “Behind the scenes, we are encouraged by the continued development of the talent coming through our Academy. We are proud of the contributions that our young players are making and trust that this will continue to be a source of strength and pride for all associated with the club.
“We are also deeply grateful for the continued support and positivity shown by our fans. We are witnessing first-hand the significant gap between the Championship and the Premier League, but your understanding and passion, even when the results have not been what we we all want. , we continue to promote our long-term commitment to the club.”
