Michael ReevesIt appears as if the Russell Martin saga could finally be coming to an end with news today that compensation between the two clubs appears to be agreed and that Martin will be confirmed today or tomorrow as the new Saints boss.
The discussion of compensation has rumbled on for some weeks now with discussions based largely around whether Southampton were a Premier League or Championship club at the time. The Saints argued that they were a Championship team at the time of appointment whilst the Swans took the opposite view that they were a Premier League club at the time of the approach.
The delay did neither side many favours having gone on for a month with several reports that the deal would have been confirmed several weeks ago not coming to fruition.
In the meantime the Swans look to have turned to Michael Duff as the replacement for Martin and the move to finish off his South Coast move will allow them to progress with that appointment although it is still rumoured strongly that the shortlist is more than just Duff although he is a clear favourite.
Martin’s move will bring to an end his two years at Swansea where he steadied a side that was reeling from a play off defeat and the loss of several key players from that squad that was beaten by Brentford at Wembley. A 15th placed finish in his first season was followed up last time around by a dice with the play offs although it should not be completely forgotten that whilst we ended close to those play offs we did manage a horrendous run of the form in the middle part of the season.
For many Martin will be remembered as the first man to deliver a league double in the South Wales derby, a feat he managed in both seasons in charge.
He is still planned to take four staff with him to St Mary’s with Matt Gill, Dean Thornton, Ben Parker and Matt Willmott all heading to the South Coast and Martin and his team will be tasked with delivering an immediate return to the Premier League for a Southampton side who finished bottom of the league last season.
Whatever your feelings on Russell Martin as a manager the simple fact here is that this saga had to end and really should have ended much quicker than this. Quite why the stalemate went on for as long as it did will probably never fully be known but once the appointment is confirmed officially it will finally be in the past.
And we can all move on. Now what price the Swans playing Southampton on the opening day…
I dont think saints will get back to the Premier league 1st time.
I don’t think saints win get promoted back to the Premier league straight away. Russell Martin isn’t the right manager for this. Saints should have looked at Nigel Atkins instead.
the bloke who’s failed literally everywhere else you mean?
Nigel Atkins all the way never did anything wrong should be here still at Southampton F.C
Unless Saints have players who can win despite Martin they will not gain promotion from the Championship.
And will owners and supporters stick by him if he repeats the mistakes of his time at MKD and Swans let alone a run of 21 games with just 16 points won? (16 from 63 on offer).
From this Swans point of view I wish RM good luck but am not sorry to see him go
He put us through a nightmare this season despite a strong finish which flatters to deceive the full picture . Tippy happy football offering no threat at the front and suicide football at the back. We move on to better things now
Good luck to the fans in the South Coast! A man with “a big ego” and a man “who refuses to learn from his mistakes” is what they are getting! He also manipulates the media very well- well spoken and looks genuine! But he will drive you nuts with him thinking he is Guardiola and his team is MC!
Sorry but Laurie McMenemy was the best Southampton manager.
Hope we get a manager,playing attacking football.yOU can have 80+ % of play ,but if you keep away from the box,you dont score.
Saints will go up automatically its all about money and they have more. The owners spent 150 Million on transfers so they will want it hope Martin is our man. The fans are very fickle so three loses and the groans will start three wins and the same D..K H…s will be shouting how great he is. A tough job to pick a manager you never know. Watch the swans a few times last season looked ok just a bit fragile the guy up front a bit of a plodder
The problem with Martin is that he needs good footballers to play his brand of football. Tippy Tappy is great at City and Barca but look at the players they had. The Saints do have better players but will it be enough when against a high press. As a Swan, I am gutted he is leaving because I love tippy tappy football. I just wished we had owners who would buy players who could play it. Good luck Saints, you have a purist
Seems saints owners never learn yet appointing another manger that can’t be told and refuses to change things when it’s going wrong. 3rd one in a row got that feeling owners and manger don’t give a dam about the club so long as they make money
Relieved to see Martin leave. Wrong brand of footie n refused to have a plan B when needed.
Swans managers have gone on to bigger success but I can’t see Southampton gaining instant promotion with this guy.
Stats don’t lie.
Good riddens never changed formation only players he is all talk
If(when) he fails after saint’s big £££££ backing then that will be the end of him, I hope you’re supporters can get use to their team playing across the park.
Hip hip hooray Martins finally gone today good luck Southampton, you be playing pass it back then side way’s then pass it back and they will catch you out on the brake glad to see the arrogant man gone,
Most managers would have been fired after the aforementioned 21-game stretch resulting in only 16 points out of 63 offered. If Martin has learned from his mistakes, then he has a chance at succeeding provided he has the players to pull it off. It took about 20 months before his players finally adapted to his newfound tactics that produced a great run at the end of his tenure with Swans. Martin probably spends an hour each day in front of a mirror and talking himself up!
Over the years Saints have had a lot of good and bad managers. I say give him a chance and judge him at xmas not the first 2 or 3 games
Give the bloke a chance if the board backs him then who knows . Been going on too long now still preferred gerrard who can atract players or Nigel Atkins well respected
I see disaster coming, and we should now try and get the services of Roy Hodgson or Niel Warnock for the last 10 games to save us dropping into League 1. This Russel Martin can only play sideways,or backwards, Saints fans don’t want this.
As a Swansea Jack, I’m happy to see RM go. However, I didn’t think a former Premier league side would come in for him but I do wish him well! Russell Martin’s is playing a dangerous game when it is played right looks exciting to watch. However, when it goes wrong it is a horror and nightmare. His focus is on attack at the cost of defensive errors that are major! It’s a roller-coaster ride and his isn’t good when under pressure! It was they fans that got the club out of the 3 wins in 20 games before that excellent run of 9 unbeaten games that flattered our final position in the table!
No loyalty to the swans even though I do recall him begging to stay with the swans declaring how his family have settled in the area by nationwide press ..,.but hey ho off you trot …..we will find a more exciting manager
I hope it’s true that the clubs have agreed on Martin’s compensation. I have mixed feelings about Martin. He’s been Dr Russell and Mr Martin at Swansea. Nobody knows which one he will be at Southampton.
Goodbye Martin! Worst Swansea manager in years!
Don’t think we will be going back first season with Martin at the helm .
B’mouth have sacked Gary O’Neil a manager that succeeded in staying in the Prem with a weaker squad than saints. Now Swansea have quibbled over compensation but have appeared to have agreed a replacement. I think Saints should change their mind and go for O’Neil.
Thank. God hes gone.worst manager for ye ars.never changed .playing out fr om back.