Southampton have parted ways with manager Russell Martin after a crushing 5-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur left the club nine points adrift of Premier League safety.
The 38-year-old, who guided the Saints to promotion last season with a memorable play-off final victory over Leeds United, struggled to maintain momentum in the top flight. With just one win in 16 games and a league-low 11 goals scored, Southampton’s board cited the urgency of improving results as a key factor in their decision.
In a statement, the club expressed gratitude for Martin’s contributions, particularly last season’s promotion campaign, while acknowledging the challenges of competing in the Premier League.
Simon Rusk, the Under-21s manager, will take interim charge, with his first test being a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash against league leaders Liverpool. Martin’s dismissal comes amid managerial upheaval across the league, as Wolves also announced the departure of Gary O’Neil on the same day.
