Southampton have sacked supervisor Russell Martin forward of their Carabao Cup quarter-final conflict with Liverpool. The Saints made the choice after their humiliating 5-0 Premier League defeat at house to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Spurs scored 4 objectives inside the primary 25 minutes and added a fifth and closing strike earlier than the half-time break, which resulted in scores of Southampton supporters leaving St Mary’s early.
The end result leaves the rock-bottom Saints with only one win to their identify since returning to the top-flight – which got here towards Everton – and 9 factors adrift of security.
Martin led Southampton again to the Premier League final season with victory within the Championship play-off closing towards Leeds United. However the 38-year-old has now been relieved of his duties 72 hours earlier than the last-eight showdown at house to Liverpool on Wednesday.
A Saints membership assertion learn: “We will verify that we’ve taken the tough determination to half methods with our males’s first group supervisor, Russell Martin.
“Going into the beginning of the season, all of us knew the challenges that we’d face this 12 months as we readjusted to life within the prime flight, competing in the very best and best league on this planet.
“Nonetheless, the truth of our scenario is obvious. The board have supported Russell and his employees and been open and clear relating to our expectations. We have now all been on the identical web page in recognising the urgency of needing outcomes to enhance.
“We want to take this chance to thank Russell and his employees for all of the onerous work and dedication they’ve given the membership on and off the pitch during the last 18 months.
“Everybody related with Southampton FC will all the time have incredible reminiscences of final season, particularly the play-off closing win in Could.”
Southampton have confirmed that the membership’s Beneath-21s boss, Simon Rusk, will take cost of the primary group on interim foundation as they search a alternative for Martin, who had been rewarded with a brand new three-year contract in the summertime.
Rusk spent six years in Brighton & Hove Albion’s youth set-up, the place he oversaw the event of the likes of Viktor Gyokeres and Ben White, earlier than shifting into senior administration at Stockport County.
The 42-year-old then coached England Beneath-19s and labored as a set-piece specialist for Nottingham Forest earlier than becoming a member of the Saints in the summertime.
The Southampton assertion continued: “Behind the scenes, we’re inspired by the continued growth of expertise coming by our academy.
“We’re happy with the contributions our younger gamers are making and are assured it will stay a supply of energy and satisfaction for everybody related to the membership.
“We’re additionally deeply grateful for the continued assist and positivity proven by our followers.
“We’re witnessing first-hand the numerous hole between the Championship and the Premier League, however your understanding and keenness, even when outcomes haven’t been what all of us need, proceed to drive our long-term dedication to the membership.”
Liverpool gained a five-goal Premier League thriller 3-2 at St Mary’s final month. Mohamed Salah scored twice after the Saints took a 2-1 lead after Dominik Szoboszlai’s opener.
