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

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

The result leaves Southampton bottom of the Premier League and nine points adrift of safety. Under-21s manager Simon Rusk will take over on an interim basis, starting with the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Liverpool on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports.

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

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

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Shortly afterwards, though, he added: "As a person, [it doesn't hurt] very much. But when I put my ego into it as a manager, it hurts a lot because you work so hard every single day.

"Of course, that hurts because we work so hard. But you have to accept it as part and parcel of football and it is what it is."

Asked if the fans would get their wish, he said: "Not a clue, mate. Not a clue. You're speaking to the wrong man.

"But it's not personal; I don't know them, they don't know me. So it's a criticism of the job I'm doing, I understand. I don't think you can criticise a person when you don't know them. So it's a criticism of the job I am doing."

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

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

Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was a pundit for TNT during the match. At full-time, before the sacking was announced, he said: "I feel very sorry for Martin.

"I think the lads are still trying for him. I don't think there's any question of anything on Russell Martin.

"The fans do deserve better and they're sticking with us, and it's one we have to move on very quickly ahead of Wednesday."

Southampton's statement in full

"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 U21s manager Simon Rusk will take charge of the team on an interim basis until we announce a permanent replacement.

"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."

Saints' sorry season in stats

• Southampton have only scored 11 goals in 16 games this season - three fewer than any other Premier League side. Their total of 36 goals conceded is the second-highest, after 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 had a worse goal difference after 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 to score more times in the Premier League this season.
• Southampton are the only team in Premier League history to go in at half-time losing by a five-goal deficit on multiple occasions, doing so against Leicester City in October 2019 as well as against Tottenham on Sunday night.
• Southampton have made more errors leading to shots (27) and more errors leading to goals (11) than any other Premier League side this season.

Analysis: Low moments outweighed fleeting glimmers for Martin this term

Sky Sports' Dan Long:

Russell Martin had so much credit in the bank after promotion from the Championship at the first time of asking last season, that when their first season back in the Premier League didn't quite go to plan at the beginning, the Southampton hierarchy stuck by their man.

He stuck by his principles and continued to play the possession-based game he has become renowned for, even when the chips were down and the doubters were out in force, determined to make it work.

There have been fleeting moments of promise, that much is true, but the low moments have far outweighed them.

They were on top early on against Manchester United in September, but a missed penalty turned the game and they were comprehensively beaten 3-0. They were 2-0 up against Leicester with over an hour gone a month later, seemingly on course for their first win, but somehow ended up losing 3-2. They went toe-to-toe with Liverpool at the end of November - shortly after only losing 1-0 away at Man City - but mistakes were costly that day.

There were a smattering of boos when Tottenham scored the opener on Sunday evening, 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 grew louder and more intense throughout the game. After the full-time whistle - by which point he had already disappeared down the tunnel - cameras picked up a banner that read "R.M. Get Out Of Our Club".

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

Asked if the fans would get their wish, he added: "Not a clue, mate. Not a clue. You're speaking to the wrong man." Sadly for him, the right person granted the fans' wish just an hour after he spoke those words.

Southampton's upcoming fixtures

Wednesday December 18: Southampton vs Liverpool - Carabao Cup quarter-final, kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports

Saturday December 22: Fulham vs Southampton - Premier League, kick-off 2pm, live on Sky Sports

Thursday December 26: Southampton vs West Ham - Premier League, kick-off 3pm

Sunday December 29: Crystal Palace vs Southampton - Premier League, kick-off 3pm

Saturday January 4: Southampton vs Brentford - Premier League, kick-off 3pm

Sunday January 12: Southampton vs Swansea - FA Cup third round, kick-off 4.30pm

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