Southampton’s 5-0 hammering against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday evening has seen Russell Martin sacked as Saints manager – just six months after Leeds United were beaten in the play-off final.
Last season, Leeds finished above Southampton in the league despite Martin’s Saints doing the double over Leeds during the normal campaign. Then, at the end of June, the two sides met for a third time.
Leeds and Southampton fought it out at Wembley to secure an instant return to the Premier League and it was Southampton that came out on top, with Adam Armstrong scoring the only goal of the game.
Ironically, it was Ethan Ampadu that made a mistake for the goal – stepping out of the defensive line and allowing Will Smallbone to play in Armstrong. Since, Southampton have really struggled in the top tier.
Leeds fans react as Russell Martin is sacked by Southampton
On the same day that saw Wolves sack Gary O’Neil, Southampton confirmed the decision to fire Martin after his side were humiliated by Archie Gray’s Tottenham at home, losing 5-0 to the North Londoners.
All five goals were scored before half-time, with Martin storming down the tunnel during first-half injury time and missing James Maddison’s second. After the game, Southampton confirmed Martin’s exit.
Leeds fans reacted on X following the decision, giving their response to Martin’s sacking:
Martin has been criticised for not adapting his style of play and it often led to his and Southampton’s downfall. One Leeds fan thinks Martin was simply “managing for brand Russell Martin”.
One simply posted “Russell Martin sacked” alongside a number of laughing emojis. Another joked that Southampton “should be automatically relegated” for relieving Martin of his duties.
Another took to X by posting “bye bye”, with Leeds fans perhaps feeling vindicated that the wrong side were promoted at Wembley back on June 26 with Southampton winning just five points so far.
Russell Martin and Daniel Farke’s Premier League form compared
Of course, Leeds fans can enjoy Martin’s demise in the Premier League after pipping Leeds at the final hurdle. But, The Whites have a manager in place that many would argue is in a similar mould to Martin.
A manager that is unlikely to change his tactics if Leeds do go up this season. Daniel Farke is renowned for having failed in the Premier League, relegated in one season with Norwich and sacked in another.
| Name | Premier League games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Points | PPG |
| Russell Martin | 16 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 5 | 0.31 |
| Daniel Farke | 49 | 6 | 8 | 35 | 26 | 0.53 |
Hopefully, if Leeds do get promoted, Farke can learn from Martin’s mistakes and alter his system and tactics that would allow Leeds every chance of survival in England’s top tier. But promotion, comes first.
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