Southampton FC reaction given to Leicester City, Russell Martin news | OneFootball

Russell Martin, formerly of Southampton and Rangers, could become the next Leicester City boss

Russell Martin is firmly in the frame to become the next Leicester City boss, following the King Power Stadium outfit's relegation from the Championship.

The Foxes finished last season in the second-tier relegation zone alongside Oxford United and Sheffield Wednesday, despite beginning the campaign with one of the division's best squads on paper.

Leicester supporters were disappointed to see their side suffer relegation to League One just 10 years after winning the Premier League title, and five years after clinching FA Cup glory.

Martin will be tasked with steering the Foxes back to the Championship at the first time of asking, should he be named as their new boss in the coming days.

Southampton assessment on Russell Martin made as Leicester City eye managerial swoop

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Martin successfully led Southampton to the Premier League by winning the Championship play-off final in 2024, but he subsequently struggled in charge of the Saints in the top flight, ultimately prompting his sacking.

The former Norwich City defender then endured a poor stint in charge of Rangers last season, which contributed to the fact that the Light Blues finished just third in the Scottish Premiership, despite having title aspirations.

However, Leicester have set their sights on the 40-year-old as they plot a Championship return.

Football League World asked our Southampton fan pundit, Louis Harris, what he made of the news that Martin is in the running for the Foxes job, and whether it would surprise him to see the former Saints boss drop to League One.

Harris said: "Russell Martin to Leicester seems to be a perfect match. He's obviously one of the most divisive managers around when it comes to fans' opinions on him.

"On paper, yes (you're) looking at the drop-down to League One. However, you can imagine the potential at Leicester. It's a big draw, and (he) will expect them to go straight back up.

"Despite his flaws, he has proven during his time with Saints that he was able to lift and bring spirit and mood up around the club, which, given Leicester's predicament, is what they're desperate for.

"You imagine Leicester having the strongest squad in the league, and probably then having ability to then adapt to what he asks and demands (of) players with his sometimes questionable style of play."

Russell Martin needs League One switch for his own career

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Leicester are eyeing an immediate promotion back to the Championship, having suffered successive relegations from the Premier League to League One.

Martin's previous success in the second tier with Southampton suggests that he is capable of steering the Foxes to where they want to go next season.

Meanwhile, the 40-year-old needs to drop to League One to enhance his own reputation, having struggled in the Premier League and the Scottish Premiership with the Saints and Rangers, respectively.

Martin knows the third tier well, having previously managed MK Dons during the 2019/20 season, and he can get his career moving in the right direction again by joining Leicester.

Should he be named as the Foxes' boss in the coming days, he will have plenty of work to do in the summer transfer window.