Southampton appoints Russell Martin as new manager

Southampton has signed Russell Martin as their new Men’s First Team Manager until 2026.

Martin, previously at the helm of Welsh club Swansea, is stepping into his new role with an impressive record behind him.

Martin spent two seasons at Swansea, leading the team to a near-miss Championship playoff berth in the last campaign, finishing the season just three points off.

Before that, he was the driving force behind a marked improvement at MK Dons in League One, establishing himself as a rising talent in football management.

Southampton Chairman, Henrik Kraft, confirmed Martin was the clear choice during their recruitment, expressing confidence in Martin's strong record.

"Russell was the stand-out candidate throughout our recruitment process and we are confident his strong track record, alongside the experienced leadership of our new Director of Football, Jason Wilcox, will deliver great results."

Kraft continued, “We are extremely excited to welcome Russell to Southampton," alluding to Martin's potential synergy with the club's new Director of Football, Jason Wilcox.

Reflecting on the appointment, Martin highlighted his commitment to the club's success, stating, “My aim is to get this club back where it belongs - in the top flight of English football." 

Meanwhile, Swansea City released a statement confirming Martin's departure, insisting they were owed full compensation for the remaining duration of his three-year contract.

The club expressed gratitude towards Martin for his contributions and reassured fans that the process of appointing new first-team coaching staff is underway.