SM
Sports Mole words bigger AMP 2
Fulham vs. Man Utd: 17 hrs 1 min
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
SL
Southampton logo
Premier League | Gameweek 16
Dec 15, 2024 at 7pm UK
St. Mary's Stadium
SL
Spurs logo

Southampton
0 - 5
Spurs


Fernandes (36')
FT(HT: 0-5)
Maddison (1', 45+4'), Heung-min (12'), Kulusevski (14'), Sarr (25')
Bergvall (30'), Maddison (50'), Johnson (58')

Russell Martin sacked: What next for Southampton after parting ways with manager?

:Headline: Russell Martin sacked: What next for Southampton after parting ways with manager?:
Southampton sack manager Russell Martin following their defeat against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday night.
Sports Mole
Saints make huge Russell Martin call! Southampton respond to their Spurs defeat

Southampton have sacked manager Russell Martin following the club's 5-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday night.

The Saints conceded five first-half goals against Spurs at St Mary's and they were fortunate that the visitors did not punish them further in the second half.

Southampton ended the weekend last in 20th place with five points after 16 matchweeks and are already nine points from 17th-placed Leicester City.

The club announced on Sunday night on their website that they had sacked Martin, saying: "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."

Southampton also announced that current Under-21s manager Simon Rusk will take charge of the team on an interim basis until a permanent replacement is appointed.

Saints make huge Russell Martin call! Southampton respond to their Spurs defeat

Deserved sacking?

Martin was praised by some for implementing a possession-oriented style of play, with the team having averaged 53.2% possession so far in the Premier League, the eighth-highest figure in the top flight.

Pep Guardiola even claimed earlier in October that he would "learn a lot" from coming up against the former Saints boss.

However, though Southampton's approach under Martin was no doubt brave, it would not be unfair to suggest that it was also naive considering the south coast club have conceded 36 goals in the top flight.

If they were to continue their current trajectory, the Saints would concede 85 times over the course of a 38 game season which would be the joint fifth-worst record in Premier League history.

Perhaps Martin's brand of football would have succeeded with a more established top-flight team, but his expansive playstyle was always going to be risky, especially with a promoted side.

What next for Southampton?

Southampton are set host Liverpool on Wednesday in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup, before taking on Fulham away from home in the Premier League four days later.

Rusk is almost certain to be in the dugout for both games, but it is vital that the Saints find a new permanent head coach quickly in order to give the new boss as many matches as possible.

Perhaps they could look to appoint a manager with proven experience in the Premier League such as Steve Cooper - who was sacked as boss of Leicester City in November - or Gary O'Neil, who was sacked on Sunday by Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Whoever is chosen to take over as head coach, they will likely have to implement a more pragmatic playstyle given the Saints have made more errors leading to shots and more errors leading to goals than any other Premier League side this season.

This does not mean the club will have to completely abandon Martin's principle, but perhaps a more nuanced approach to matches will see Southampton pick up more points.

body check tags ::

amp_article__560698 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2024-12-16 09:57:39:
html db last update - 2024-12-16 09:57:39 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!

Click here for more stories about Russell Martin

Click here for more stories about Tottenham Hotspur

Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
'Will not get his left foot for that' - Man Utd suffer blow in prodigy pursuit
Cash-strapped United given Gyokeres alternative? Where Amorim should target
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool22165154213353
2Arsenal23138244212347
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2313553327644
4Manchester CityMan City23125647301741
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle23125641271441
6Chelsea23117545301540
7Bournemouth23117541261540
8Aston Villa2210663334-136
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2381053531434
10Fulham228953430433
11Brentford2284104039128
12Crystal Palace226972528-327
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd2275102732-526
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham2275102743-1626
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs22731245351024
16Everton225891928-923
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2344153252-2016
18Ipswich TownIpswich2337132147-2616
19Leicester CityLeicester2235142348-2514
20Southampton2313191653-376
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Europe beware! Mbappe passes 20-goal mark with treble in Real Madrid success

1

EB
Europe beware! Mbappe passes 20-goal mark with treble in Real Madrid success

Salah's record-breaking Ipswich goal: Is he the Premier League's greatest?

2

SR
Salah's record-breaking Ipswich goal: Is he the Premier League's greatest?

Gunners striker target to sign new deal? Arteta's transfer market options shrink

NEW

3

GS
Gunners striker target to sign new deal? Arteta's transfer market options shrink

Cash-strapped United given Gyokeres alternative? Where Amorim should target

4

CU
Cash-strapped United given Gyokeres alternative? Where Amorim should target

Ruben receives much-needed triple boost as Man United prepare for Fulham clash

5

RR
Ruben receives much-needed triple boost as Man United prepare for Fulham clash

Team News: Barcelona vs. Valencia injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

6

TN
Team News: Barcelona vs. Valencia injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

Why are Odegaard, Merino missing from Arsenal squad for Wolves game?

7

WA
Why are Odegaard, Merino missing from Arsenal squad for Wolves game?

Battle lines are drawn: Man United, Juve 'in competition' for Barcelona defender

8

BL
Battle lines are drawn: Man United, Juve 'in competition' for Barcelona defender

Salah beats Henry: Reds' title charge continues as Gunners legend's record broken

9

SB

Preview: Venezia vs. Hellas Verona - prediction, team news, lineups

10

PV
1x1


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .