Sources: Russell Martin set for Championship return amid race to deal
Former Rangers manager Russell Martin is firmly on the radar of clubs in the Championship, sources have told Football Insider.
The 39-year-old is understood to have retained a strong reputation within the game despite his tumultuous stint at Rangers, and that is attracting attention from clubs in the English second tier.
Martin led Southampton to promotion to the Premier League back in the 2023-24 campaign, and sources say that his work on the South Coast is a huge reason behind the current interest.
The fact that he is out of work and available is also being viewed as a huge tick against his name.
Martin himself is also understood to be open to a Championship return, as he is keen to try and rebuild his standing after the way that his Ibrox tenure came to a close.
Russell Martin’s record in the Championship
Matt Le Tissier exclusively told Football Insider back in November that Martin is still very highly thought of at Southampton, even though his recent links with a return to the job ultimately never materialised.
The Saints instead opted to hand the reins to Tonda Eckert, who has stepped up from his interim role to take permanent charge of the team.
However, a return to the second tier looks likely to come to fruition for Martin sooner rather than later, given that he is on the radar of a number of clubs.
The former centre-back has already taken charge of over 130 games in the division, across spells with both Southampton and Swansea City earlier in his career.
| Games | W | D | L | Win % |
| 138 | 60 | 34 | 44 | 43.48% |
His promotion with Southampton was the highlight of his spell in the second tier, although a respectable 10th-place finish with Swansea was a major contributor to him getting the role at St Mary’s.
Martin’s win percentage in the Championship stands at 43.48 per cent, and with that promotion also a huge marker on his CV, it’s easy to see why there are clubs that view him as a potential option.
Martin is among the favourites to take over at West Brom
West Brom are the latest club to be linked with Martin, as the pressure continues to mount on their boss Ryan Mason.
The Baggies are languishing down in 16th at the moment, and Mason is now the bookies’ favourite to become the next managerial casualty in the Championship after another defeat on Tuesday night.
The 34-year-old was only appointed at The Hawthorns in the summer, but is already facing serious questions from supporters, with Martin installed as one of the early favourites to potentially step into his shoes.
Links between Martin and the likes of Southampton, Norwich and Leicester have all risen and then faded in recent weeks, but West Brom could finally be the club to hand him a fresh opportunity.