Sources: Southampton approaching Russell Martin in extraordinary twist
Russell Martin is in contention to make a sensational return to Southampton as manager, sources have told Football Insider.
The Championship big guns announced the sacking of Will Still on Sunday night 13 games into the campaign, and with Saints sitting 21st in the table.
Sources say that Southampton will approach their former boss Martin, 39, to discuss the possibility of going back to St Mary’s Stadium 11 months after he departed the club.
He is one of the leading contenders to take over after guiding the club to the Premier League during his first spell in charge.
Russell Martin available after Rangers sacking
Still won just four games in charge of Southampton after joining the club from Lens in the summer.
Southampton’s 2-0 defeat to Preston was Still’s final game in charge, with a 10 point gap between Saints and the final play-off place.
Martin is out of work after being sacked as manager of Rangers after just 123 days in charge of the Glasgow club following a poor start to the season.
A 1-1 draw against Falkirk in October sealed his fate, with the Gers lying in the bottom half of the Scottish Premiership table.
However, Martin is still held in high regard for the job he did at Southampton when he guided them to the Premier League following a 1-0 win over Leeds United in the play-off final in 2024.
Southampton though struggled in the Premier League under Martin, which saw him sacked in December 2024 with just one win from 16 games.
Martin’s possession based style of play has been criticised whilst at both Southampton and Rangers.
Even after Martin’s departure though, the Saints were still relegated back to the Championship with seven games to play.
Southampton could also appoint another former Saint
Martin could be challenged by former Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl who is another leading frontrunner for the job.
Former Middlesborough manager Michael Carrick is also a contender, whilst recently resigned Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers could also make the shortlist.
The upcoming November international break will give Saints a window of opportunity to appoint their new manager.
Southampton have two games though before then, with a trip to QPR and a home clash with Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship.