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

The end result leaves Southampton backside of the Premier League and 9 factors adrift of security. Underneath-21s supervisor Simon Rusk will take over on an interim foundation, beginning with the Carabao Cup quarter-final towards Liverpool on Wednesday, stay on Sky Sports activities.

There have been audible boos aimed toward Martin from Southampton followers throughout and after Sunday’s match. In response, Martin stated in his post-match press convention: “The followers have been wonderful for us since we have been right here from day one.

“I perceive the frustration, I additionally perceive the fashionable world and soccer and what it’s and what it is about.”

Shortly afterwards, although, he added: “As an individual, [it doesn’t hurt] very a lot. However once I put my ego into it as a supervisor, it hurts loads since you work so laborious each single day.

“In fact, that hurts as a result of we work so laborious. However you must settle for it as half and parcel of soccer and it’s what it’s.”

Requested if the followers would get their want, he stated: “Not a clue, mate. Not a clue. You are talking to the fallacious man.

“Nevertheless it’s not private; I do not know them, they do not know me. So it is a criticism of the job I am doing, I perceive. I do not suppose you may criticise an individual when you do not know them. So it is a criticism of the job I’m doing.”

Martin’s departure was introduced by the membership lower than 90 minutes after the full-time whistle.

Martin, appointed in June 2023, led Southampton to promotion by way of the Championship play-offs, however has overseen only one victory and 13 defeats from 16 video games within the Premier League.

Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was a pundit for TNT in the course of the match. At full-time, earlier than the sacking was introduced, he stated: “I really feel very sorry for Martin.

“I feel the lads are nonetheless attempting for him. I do not suppose there’s any query of something on Russell Martin.

“The followers do deserve higher and so they’re sticking with us, and it is one we’ve got to maneuver on in a short time forward of Wednesday.”

Southampton’s assertion in full

“We will verify that we’ve got taken the tough choice to half methods with our males’s first group supervisor, Russell Martin.

“Going into the beginning of the season, all of us knew the challenges that we’d face this yr as we readjusted to life within the high flight, competing in the most effective and best league on the earth.

“Nonetheless, the truth of our scenario is evident. The board have supported Russell and his workers and been open and clear relating to our expectations. We now have all been on the identical web page in recognising the urgency of needing outcomes to enhance.

“We want to take this chance to thank Russell and his workers for all of the laborious work and dedication they’ve given the membership on and off the pitch during the last 18 months. Everybody related with Southampton FC will at all times have unbelievable reminiscences of final season, particularly the play-off last win in Might.

“Present U21s supervisor Simon Rusk will take cost of the group on an interim foundation till we announce a everlasting substitute.

“Behind the scenes, we’re inspired by the continued growth of expertise coming by way of our Academy. We’re happy with the contributions our younger gamers are making and are assured this can stay a supply of energy and pleasure for everybody related to the membership.

“We’re additionally deeply grateful for the continued assist and positivity proven by our followers. We’re witnessing first-hand the numerous hole between the Championship and the Premier League, however your understanding and fervour, even when outcomes haven’t been what all of us need, proceed to drive our long-term dedication to the membership.”

Saints’ sorry season in stats

• Southampton have solely scored 11 objectives in 16 video games this season – three fewer than another Premier League aspect. Their complete of 36 objectives conceded is the second-highest, after Wolves’ 40.
• Solely 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 aim distinction after 16 Premier League video games than Southampton’s -25 this season.
• Southampton have failed to attain in seven of their 16 video games. Solely Everton (eight) have failed to attain extra occasions within the Premier League this season.
• Southampton are the one group in Premier League historical past to go in at half-time shedding by a five-goal deficit on a number of events, doing so towards Leicester Metropolis in October 2019 in addition to towards Tottenham on Sunday evening.
• Southampton have made extra errors resulting in pictures (27) and extra errors resulting in objectives (11) than another Premier League aspect this season.

Evaluation: Low moments outweighed fleeting glimmers for Martin this time period

Sky Sports activities’ Dan Lengthy:

Russell Martin had a lot credit score within the financial institution after promotion from the Championship on the first time of asking final season, that when their first season again within the Premier League did not fairly go to plan at the start, the Southampton hierarchy caught by their man.

He caught by his rules and continued to play the possession-based recreation he has change into famend for, even when the chips had been down and the doubters had been out in power, decided to make it work.

There have been fleeting moments of promise, that a lot is true, however the low moments have far outweighed them.

They had been on high early on towards Manchester United in September, however a missed penalty turned the sport and so they had been comprehensively overwhelmed 3-0. They had been 2-0 up towards Leicester with over an hour gone a month later, seemingly on the right track for his or her first win, however someway ended up shedding 3-2. They went toe-to-toe with Liverpool on the finish of November – shortly after solely shedding 1-0 away at Man Metropolis – however errors had been expensive that day.

There have been a smattering of boos when Tottenham scored the opener on Sunday night, however a mass exodus adopted once they had been 4-0 down inside half an hour – as did the primary actual requires Martin’s head, which grew louder and extra intense all through the sport. After the full-time whistle – by which level he had already disappeared down the tunnel – cameras picked up a banner that learn “R.M. Get Out Of Our Membership”.

In his post-match press convention, the 38-year-old spoke about how “as a supervisor, it hurts loads” to listen to the chants, although made it clear he didn’t take it personally. “It isn’t private; I do not know them, they do not know me. So it is a criticism of the job I am doing, I perceive,” he stated.

Requested if the followers would get their want, he added: “Not a clue, mate. Not a clue. You are talking to the fallacious man.” Sadly for him, the suitable particular person granted the followers’ want simply an hour after he spoke these phrases.

Southampton’s upcoming fixtures

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

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

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 spherical, kick-off 4.30pm