Leicester City share Russell Martin footage and it causes a stir online | OneFootball

Russell Martin's post-training session speech has caused a bit of a reaction on social media

Leicester City are eager to put the embarrassment of last season behind them and showcase why they're a level above the rest in League One in 2026/27.

The Foxes are set to begin just their second campaign below the second tier in their history, following their second successive relegation last year. This time a decade ago, they were gearing up for the Champions League after winning the Premier League the May prior.

While the likes of Sunderland, Sheffield United, and more recently, Huddersfield Town and Luton Town have shown that getting out of the third tier can be a little trickier when the expectations are high, Leicester will be hoping to block out the noise and replicate their third-tier title-winning campaign from 18 years ago.

To do so, they've hired Russell Martin, a manager who, despite only being in dugouts for a little under seven years, has polarised numerous different fanbases, both in those he has managed and even those he hasn't.

There's no doubt that, with the resources, a Russell Martin side can be difficult to stop, but his possession-hungry play style can have its drawbacks, and once things start going downhill, it's hard to stop that slide, according to members of the Rangers fanbase.

Leicester City shares Russell Martin training message

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Leicester welcomed their players back for pre-season training on Monday, allowing the new manager to have a look at some personnel and decide who he feels will be key in mounting an immediate promotion challenge over the next 10 months.

One of the first things that new managers do is set standards, and the 40-year-old spoke about the importance of working hard for each other and for the club and acting professionally, which the Foxes posted to their X account.

"How you behave every day, respect each other, be on time, running all the time both in training and in games. That starts here, no excuses," he said. "You'll get fed up of our voices saying the same thing, so if you don't want us to say anything, do it properly.

"It's the easiest thing in the world, and we're going to have a lot of fun. Even in this moment, take joy in that. You're one session down, and you're fitter than you were before the session started. So, recover well, and we'll go properly tomorrow."

A good message to lay down ahead of an important pre-season. The physical demands of League One are as high as they ever have been, and being a strong, fit side will likely go a long way to success next year.

Fans react to Russell Martin's message - it's caused a stir

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Rangers fans are amongst the most vocal online, and the comments in response to Russell Martin's were flooded with 'Gers fans letting their feelings about their former manager be heard.

It's safe to say that the 40-year-old didn't get off on the front foot at Ibrox to begin last season, as he was sacked after just 17 games, losing 9-1 on aggregate against Club Brugge in the Champions League play-offs and drawing five of their first seven league outings.

"Dear Lord, I pray for Leicester City. Relegated with this clown in charge of your team," one fan said in the comments. "This makes me feel violently unwell," another added.

"Rangers were the least fit team in the league last season with him in charge," one fan commented. "Hope there's a lake handy for the team-building swim," he said, referencing the swimming session Martin took his players on, following a 2-0 home loss against Hearts last September.

Even when one Leicester fan jumped to his defence, stating that people "have it in for him regardless of anything," angry Rangers fans were quick to reinforce their disdain for the 40-year-old.

"He might be talking sense, but once the season starts and results don't match your expectations, he will try gaslighting you," a fan replied. "It's warranted, an absolute charlatan. You'll see for yourself soon enough," another said.

Evidently, Martin has a lot of doubters to prove wrong this season, the majority of which are north of the border.

The expectations will be high this season at Leicester,