Southampton sacked manager Russell Martin after a 5-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday night.
Spurs took the lead in the first minute through James Maddison, who scored his second goal and Tottenham’s fifth in stoppage time at the end of the first half. ball, which marked a new low for Southampton’s controversial defensive tactics. Heung-min Son, Dejan Kulusevski and Papu Sarr also scored as Spurs put an end to their recent poor form in exciting fashion.
Despite a clear and huge leap in quality in the Premier League, Martin has attracted much criticism this season for his strict adherence to Southampton’s football philosophy.
Martin’s insistence on his team attacking from the back was the main reason why they had made 10 defensive errors leading up to a goal in this Spurs game. This was the most any team achieved last season.
Yet the Spurs’ loss was perhaps the worst of them all. Not because it was necessarily unexpected, as Spurs are capable of doing this to just about anyone when things are going their way, but because the goal was less about individual errors and more about something wider and deeper. of system failures and personnel. This team was not punished for conceding the ball in dangerous areas, but for failing to keep possession from the start. Spurs simply played through them and around them before taking their foot off the gas in the second half.
Martin didn’t even see the last goal he conceded during his time at Southampton, returning to the dressing room early on.
The result sees Southampton slip further down the table, with just five points from 16 games and nine points adrift of safety.
Southampton said in a statement: “We can confirm that we have made the difficult decision to part ways with men’s head coach Russell Martin.
“Going into the start of the season we all knew the challenges we would face this year as we readjusted to life in the top flight, competing in the best and most competitive league in the world.
“However, the reality of our situation is clear. The board supports Russell and his staff and has been open and transparent about our expectations. We all agree on the urgency needed to improve results.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank Russell and his staff for their hard work and dedication to the club over the past 18 months, both on and off the pitch. Everyone connected with Southampton Football Club will remember last season Great memories, especially the play-off final victory in May.”
Under-21 coach Simon Rusk has been appointed as interim head of the first team until a new permanent manager is found.
