Southampton boss Russell Martin has become the day’s second Premier League managerial casualty having been sacked by the Saints following this evening’s 5-0 hammering by Tottenham at St Mary’s, all the visitors’ goals having come in the first half.

Martin, who had been with the Hampshire club since June 2023, leaves Southampton bottom of the division on only five points from their first 16 games after their promotion through the play-offs last season, having finished fourth in their one year back in the Championship.

“We can confirm that we have taken the difficult decision to part ways with our men’s first-team manager, Russell Martin,” a statement on their official website reads.

“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.”

The Saints have put U21s manager Simon Rusk in interim charge until they appoint a new permanent boss.

Earlier today, Wolves sacked Gary O’Neil in the wake of their 2-1 defeat to the Blues at Molineux yesterday.

Meanwhile, 18th-placed Town are now two points from safety, behind Leicester City, who are down to 17th after Crystal Palace won 3-1 at Brighton to climb to 15th.

TWTD

Mark added 22:48 - Dec 15 Southampton have had Premier League income for 12 out of the last 13 seasons, yet we are 7 points ahead of them.
5

USA added 22:59 - Dec 15 Yes Mark but they had Russel Martin ….
4

FrankMarshall added 23:40 - Dec 15 Hopefully Martin will take over at Wolves....
5

NorrisHatter added 23:40 - Dec 15 And the interim manager is Simon Rusk. Failed manager at Stockport County. Given a fortune relative to the National League, played tippy tappy rubbish and lasted about a year. We couldn’t wait to see the back of him. Replaced by Dave Challinor who turned the same players into a team that achieved two promotions in three seasons. Let’s hope Saints take ages to find a new permanent manager.

4

MVBlue added 00:15 - Dec 16 The geezer by the sea is gone
0

Dissboyitfc added 06:47 - Dec 16 I thought he was doing a great job! Hopefully the damage is done and irepairable for this season.
7

MickMillsTash added 08:33 - Dec 16 Hope they recruit Lambert
3

Paddy39 added 08:56 - Dec 16 Maybe Mick McCarthy is in the running
1

parkie74 added 09:04 - Dec 16 Sorry to see him go, he was doing such a great job
2

Ipswichbusiness added 09:10 - Dec 16 Southampton, Wolves and Leicester imploding increases are chances of improbable survival.
3

ArnieM added 10:01 - Dec 16 New manager bounce incoming for these clubs then. Just what we DIDNT want or need.
1

TimmyH added 11:01 - Dec 16 Good to see the Budgie booted!...on another note don't feel Southampton are that bad they're just no good in the final third.
2

Super_Cooper added 13:53 - Dec 16 TimmyH - or the first third!
0

Europablue added 15:30 - Dec 16 Did he not show them the possession stats?
1

Europablue added 15:31 - Dec 16 Southampton play some really good football at times, the problem is that the opposition punish them and then let them play their pretty football, which also often ends up in bad errors.
2

SickParrot added 16:22 - Dec 16 I would normally feel sorry for a manager who, having achieved promotion to the premier league, loses his job before christmas but Martin can have no complaints. His stubborn refusal to adapt his possession based principles at all for the Premier League, despite all the evidence showing that it was essential, was just plain daft.
2

blueboy1981 added 21:51 - Dec 18 The people having a giggle over this, either don’t know, or couldn’t have considered New Manager normal impact result bounce ….. will be interesting now, the results from both Wolves and Southampton. Neither are bad Teams, to be honest, so WE need to up our tempo too !! - to offset any such improved results which can almost certainly be expected !
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