Matt Le Tissier shares instant reaction to Russell Martin making ‘surprise’ Southampton return
Russell Martin is unlikely to return to Southampton as manager due to his refusal to change the tactics and set-up that saw the club relegated from the Premier League last season.
That is according to Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier, who has exclusively told Football Insider that the 39-year-old is thought of highly at the club but their owners will want something different after Will Still was dismissed.
Russell Martin led Southampton to promotion from the Championship in 2023-24, his first season in charge, as they won the play-off final against Leeds United at Wembley.
The Saints were desperately poor in the Premier League last season, however, as he was sacked in December with his side bottom the league after only one win in 16 league games.
Martin became Rangers’ new boss in June, but was unable to ever prove his worth with the Glasgow giants before also being relieved of his duties last month, with a potential return to St Mary’s now on the horizon.
Martin failed at Rangers but could return to Southampton
Martin’s Rangers stint always seemed destined to fail amid a tough summer window and fans’ continued reservations over his suitability for the role.
He won just five of his 17 games in charge before being sacked to become the shortest-serving manager in the Gers’ history, but could soon be back in the dugout on the south-coast.
Sources have told Football Insider that Southampton are considering approaching Martin after Still was sacked on Sunday (2 November) with the club 21st in the Championship.
According to talkSPORT, the 39-year-old would be welcomed back by the Saints’ existing players and staff, and the club will want to get a new appointment in quickly as they aim to pull away from the bottom three.
Le Tissier unsure if Martin will return despite being liked within Southampton boardroom
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former England and Southampton striker Le Tissier criticised Martin’s stubborn nature towards tactics and insisted that it will be a big reason as to why he does not return to the club despite any internal admiration.
He said: “I’d be surprised if the club went back to Russell (Martin), to be honest. I think the fans got a little bit fed up of giving goals away by playing around, messing about in our own 18-yard box and with no change of direction in terms of the way we played.
“We were just making the same mistakes week in, week out and the manager was quite prepared to carry on doing it without trying to change anything. I think it was his stubbornness in the end that actually got him sacked.
“Because, had he changed, I think he was quite well liked there, but he just wasn’t prepared to try and change to affect the results.
“We were just going on and on, doing the same thing week after week and not picking up points. So, yeah, it would be a big surprise to me if Russell Martin came back.”