Was Letting Russell Martin Go a Mistake? What’s Next for Southampton?

Russell Martin Sacking – A Gamble That Didn’t Pay Off?

When Russell Martin was shown the door by Southampton in December, it was a decision that many saw coming — but that doesn’t mean it was the right one. Now, with the dust settling after another grim Premier League campaign and Ivan Juric already out the door, it’s time to take stock: was sacking Martin a mistake? And more importantly, what’s next for Southampton?

Martin left with the Saints sitting nine points from safety. Not great, sure — but hardly insurmountable given the context of the season. His replacement, Juric, managed just two wins in his 16 games, and Southampton finished a whopping 22 points adrift of Premier League safety. That stat alone raises the question: would they have been any worse off had they stuck with Martin?

The numbers don’t lie, and in this case, they’re not kind to Juric. He failed to spark a revival and ultimately added another name to the long list of managers Southampton have cycled through in recent years. If you’re keeping count, that’s six managers across two top-flight seasons — a figure that says as much about instability behind the scenes as it does about what happens on the pitch.

A Pattern of Change: Southampton’s Managerial Merry-Go-Round

Russell Martin Sacking – A Gamble That Didn’t Pay Off?

Southampton have now found themselves on the wrong side of a worrying trend. This season marks the second time in just over a year that they’ve had three permanent managers in one Premier League campaign — a feat shared only by clubs like Fulham, Watford, and Leeds, all of whom were eventually relegated.

The Saints sacked Ralph Hasenhüttl in 2022-23, followed by Nathan Jones and then Ruben Selles, but none managed more than 0.86 points per game (PPG). Russell Martin was supposed to bring long-term thinking, structure, and identity back to the club. He had done exactly that at Swansea and MK Dons with his patient, possession-heavy style. But, as so often happens in modern football, short-term panic overtook long-term planning.

And it’s not like Southampton were caught off guard. Newly promoted sides often struggle — over the last decade, 50% have gone straight back down. That’s not failure. That’s reality. If survival is the exception, not the rule, wouldn’t it have made more sense to give Martin the full season, knowing he had the pedigree and understanding to lead a promotion charge if things went south?

Internal Instability Didn’t Help

It’s hard to ignore the impact of off-pitch issues on Southampton’s downfall. Losing technical director Jason Wilcox to Manchester United left Martin without one of his key allies. His departure, coupled with a summer transfer window that lacked clarity and decisive action, left the squad looking undercooked for the demands of the Premier League.

Chief executive Phil Parsons, formerly of Dyson, arrived in 2023 with little footballing experience. Recruitment was slow, and key targets slipped away — Liam Delap and Jack Clarke went to Ipswich, Matt O’Riley ended up at Brighton, and Southampton failed to land Max Aarons from Bournemouth.

The result? A team lacking depth, lacking quality, and arguably lacking belief.

Russell Martin’s Style: Misunderstood or Mistimed?

Critics of Martin pointed to the Saints’ passive performances and an over-reliance on possession. The 4-0 capitulation to Tottenham, which sealed his fate, was a particularly brutal watch for fans. But Martin’s tactical principles have always needed time. He himself acknowledged that his philosophy depends heavily on the squad at his disposal.

At MK Dons, he played with two strikers. At Swansea, he had no wingers. At Southampton, he lacked the physical dominance and cutting edge needed in a league where every mistake is punished. Still, his commitment to a style of play — one that had brought them back up — suggested he was building something, even if results weren’t immediately there.

When you’re in a relegation scrap, style can seem like a luxury. But if you’re planning for the long term — and you should be — then backing your manager through tough spells is essential. That’s how Norwich and Burnley have approached recent setbacks, and it’s how Southampton could have laid the groundwork for another promotion push.

Ivan Juric: The Wrong Fit at the Wrong Time?

Danny Rohl celebrates a goal for Sheffield Wednesday Martin.

Juric’s brief tenure did little to justify the switch. He won just two of his 16 matches — including an FA Cup tie against Swansea — and often looked like a man struggling to connect with his players. He clashed with Flynn Downes, though he did bring Paul Onuachu and Kamaldeen Sulemana back into the fold. His insistence on high pressing and man-to-man marking rarely suited the players at his disposal, and by the time the team showed any signs of life — notably leading away at both Liverpool and Manchester United — it was far too late.

Juric’s record across the 2024-25 season (six wins from 28 matches) speaks for itself. It wasn’t just about results; it was about direction. The style didn’t match the squad, and there was little evidence that he could be the man to steer the club forward.

The Road Ahead: What Next for Southampton?

Southampton news: ‘Survival is hard with that rate of change’ – were Saints right to sack Russel Martin? –

With yet another managerial vacancy on their hands, Southampton are now searching for their eighth boss in seven years. Sheffield Wednesday’s Danny Rohl is the clear frontrunner — and there are reasons to believe he could be the right fit. He’s already familiar with the club from his days under Hasenhüttl, and technical director Johannes Spors has worked with him previously at RB Leipzig.

Spors has said he’s looking for “talent on and off the pitch,” and Rohl ticks both boxes. Since taking over a struggling Sheffield Wednesday side in October 2023, Rohl has them sitting mid-table and within sight of the play-offs. He plays an aggressive, front-foot brand of football, which aligns with what Southampton’s owners — Sport Republic — are after.

Financial concerns at Wednesday, including delayed wages in March, could make the south coast a more appealing destination for Rohl. If Southampton can act swiftly, they may finally land a manager with both the pedigree and the support to build something lasting.

Final Thoughts: Was Martin the Right Man All Along?

In the cold light of day, it’s easy to argue that Southampton pulled the trigger on Russell Martin too early. He wasn’t winning games — but then again, neither did his successor. What he had, and what Juric didn’t, was a clear identity, an understanding of the club’s culture, and a proven ability to build a team capable of bouncing back.

Had Martin been given the full season, relegation may still have come. But so might have a clearer path forward — a manager embedded in the club’s values, ready to go again in the Championship. Instead, the Saints are back to square one. Again.

Whatever happens next, Southampton need to break the cycle. Stability, not knee-jerk reactions, should be the new foundation. And as they look ahead to another Championship campaign, they may find themselves wishing they had stuck with the man who brought them back to the Premier League in the first place.