Southampton have parted ways with head coach Russell Martin following a crushing 5-0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Spurs secured the emphatic win with goals from Son Heung-min, Pape Sarr, Dejan Kulusevski, and James Maddison. The loss leaves Southampton at the bottom of the league table, increasing their relegation concerns.
In a statement, the club said: ‘We can confirm that we have made the difficult decision to part company with our Men’s First Team Manager, Russell Martin.
At the start of the season, we understood the challenges ahead as we adapted to life in the top flight, competing in the world’s toughest and most competitive league.’
Nonetheless, the reality of our situation is clear. The board has supported Russell and his staff while maintaining open and transparent communication regarding our expectations. We have all shared a mutual understanding of the urgency to deliver improved results.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Russell and his staff for their hard work and dedication to the club, both on and off the pitch, over the past 18 months. Everyone at Southampton FC will cherish the memories of last season, particularly the Play-Off Final victory in May.
Under-21s Manager Simon Rusk will step in as interim head coach while we search for a permanent replacement.
Behind the scenes, we are encouraged by the ongoing progress of talent emerging from our Academy. The contributions of our young players remain a source of pride and strength for the club, and we are confident this will continue.
We also want to thank our fans for their unwavering support and positivity. While the gap between the Championship and the Premier League has proven significant, your understanding and passion—despite challenging results—continue to inspire our long-term commitment to the club’s future.