- The sacked Southampton manager was dismissed from his position on Sunday
- Russell Martin wanted to fight for his job after a dismal 5-0 drubbing by Spurs
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Sacked Southampton manager Russell Martin awkwardly claimed he will ‘keep working and fighting at the club’ just 12 minutes before he was axed from his position.
The 38-year-old departed his rule in the late hours of Sunday evening after watching his Saints side collapse to a 5-0 humbling against Spurs – with every goal coming during a dismal first-half for the hosts.
Southampton look set to drop straight back down to the Championship just one season after winning promotion with the club currently bottom of the division with just five points from 16 games.
Martin’s first stint managing in the English top-flight ends in disappointing circumstances, but the Brighton-born head coach was willing to fight for his position until the end.
It was in the immediate aftermath of the club’s latest embarrassing defeat that Saints chiefs decided to pull the plug on his tenure in a move that appears to have come as a partial surprise to Russell.
Analysing Southampton’s dreadful showing against Ange Postecoglou’s inconsistent Spurs team in what turned out to be his final post-match press conference, Martin outlined his plans to turn the club’s misfortunes around.
Sacked Southampton manager Russell Martin awkwardly claimed he will ‘keep working and fighting at the club’ just 12 minutes before he was axed
Martin was helpless as Southampton slumped to a dreadful 5-0 defeat against Spurs on Sunday
Southampton look set to drop straight back down to the Championship just one season after winning promotion
In a clip that has now gone viral since his contract was terminated, Russell said: ‘We’ll keep working and keep fighting until I’m told I’m not going to anymore.’
Russell was then dismissed from his duties less than half an hour later after his rallying call as Southampton issued a statement confirming the news.
The club are now actively searching for a first-team manager capable of turning their Premier League season around in a desperate bid to avoid relegation.
Announcing their decision to sack Martin, Southampton 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. Current Under-21s Manager Simon Rusk will take charge of the team on an interim basis until we announce a permanent replacement.
Martin was sacked with Southampton bottom of the Premier League table and just one win in 16 games
‘Behind the scenes, we are encouraged by the continued development of talent coming through our Academy. We are proud of the contributions our young players are making and are confident this will remain a source of strength and pride for everyone 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 results have not been what we all want, continue to drive our long-term commitment to the club’.
Martin was appointed as Southampton boss in June 2023 after previously having spells in charge of MK Dons and Swansea and won the Championship play-off final against Leeds last season.
Meanwhile, things don’t show any signs of getting easier for the Saints with their next game being the midweek visit of Liverpool in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
