Russell Martin has verbally agreed to become the new head coach of Southampton. The subject of compensation is still being discussed between Swansea and Southampton, and the Saints and the Championship club are still in advanced negotiations on his compensation as well as that of his backroom staff. Selles earlier stated that he would leave Southampton if he wasn’t the permanent boss and the club confirmed his departure on Wednesday by not renewing his contract.
“The club would like to officially express its gratitude to Ruben for assuming the role of manager during a trying moment for the organization and for giving it his all as we tried to stay in the Premier League,” Southampton said in a statement after Russell Martin verbally agreed to become the new head coach. “When the club plays Liverpool on Sunday at St. Mary’s, Ruben will be in command. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”
Martin, who is anticipated to succeed him, has just one year remaining on his Swansea contract and postponed a trip to the US when he was scheduled to speak with the club’s American owners about a contract extension. Enzo Maresca, the assistant manager of Manchester City, and Martin were both vying for the position at Southampton, but Maresca has now decided he wants to continue working with Pep Guardiola.
This season, Martin’s Swansea team placed 10th and finished the Championship strong, going nine games without losing and picking up victories over West Brom and Norwich City. Ralph Hasenhuttl, Nathan Jones, and Selles are the three managers who have held the hot seat at St. Mary’s this season, and none of them have achieved more than three league victories. Since Nathan Jones was fired in February, Selles has been in charge, but he has been unable to prevent the Saints from being relegated from the Premier League.
Southampton is a football team that is plagued by conflict and difficulties. That has been the case ever since Ronald Koeman led them to their peak in Europe, building on the excellent job Mauricio Pochettino had done in the two seasons prior to his hiring.
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