Southampton fans explode at source’s Russell Martin update
Russell Martin is emerging as a top contender to be the next Southampton manager and a significant section of fans are seriously unimpressed.
When Southampton beat Wrexham 2-1 in their opening fixture of the 2025-26 season under their new manager, signs looked positive down on the south coast.
Yet, flash forward nearly three months later, and St Mary’s has gone rather sour after Still was sacked by the club, collecting just 12 points from 13 matches.
With the Saints in a precarious position, and further demotion to League One a real possibility, Martin has now been tipped to return to the club after just under a year apart.
Southampton supporters firmly against Martin comeback with club in tatters
Sources told Football Insider that Russell Martin is in contention to replace Still at Southampton.
The Scotsman led the Saints to Premier League promotion in the 2023-24 season, but was dismissed in December 2024 after a horrendous start to their English top-flight return.
Disgraced and without a job until June 2025, Martin joined Rangers as he headed their rebuild after years of struggles.
Yet, the ex-Swansea City boss won just five of his 17 matches and was sacked in October as he was embarrassingly forced out of the Ibrox.
Now without a job once again, the former Southampton manager could return to where he found great success in the Championship, although fans are not convinced by the idea of his comeback.
Senior Saints players are rumoured to be open to Martin‘s return with one supporter saying: “Jesus Christ. If the board listen to anything the players want we will be in League Two. Overpaid, underperforming prima donna need a wake up call. And hiring Russell Martin is not the answer.” with another adding: “To the ‘senior’ players that only seem to want to play for Russell Martin, that’s quite career limiting lads.”
Similarly, the Southampton faithful are not enamoured by a potential comeback, with one fan stating: “Russell Martin back to Southampton is so so so underwhelming to say the least. Not a fan whatsoever if they decide to go back to old and used toys. It shows no ambition at all going to that road. Be ambitious and try something else/different for once.”
Another supporter, gutted by their 2-0 defeat to Preston on 1 November that sealed Still’s fate, added: “Just when I thought I had a bad weekend I hear Russell Martin is favourite to be Saints manager.”