In a dramatic turn of events on Sunday, Southampton parted ways with manager Russell Martin following a disheartening 5-0 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur, which left the team languishing at the bottom of the Premier League table.
The loss, which saw Spurs net five goals in the first half alone, capped a disappointing spell for the Saints, who managed a mere five points from their first 16 matches. The board’s patience wore thin as Martin became the second Premier League manager to be dismissed that day, following Wolverhampton Wanderers’ decision to sack Gary O’Neil.
In an official statement, the club emphasised the gravity of their situation, saying, “The reality of our situation is clear. The board have supported Russell and his staff and been open and transparent regarding our expectations. We have all been on the same page in recognising the urgency of needing results to improve.” The statement continued with gratitude towards Martin and his team for their dedication over the past 18 months.
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Martin, who was greeted with boos from the home crowd during the calamitous performance against Spurs and missed witnessing the fifth goal as he retreated to the changing rooms, had been appointed in June 2023, successfully guiding the club to promotion through the playoffs last season with an attacking brand of football that earned him accolades.
Yet, this season has seen the Saints struggle in the top flight, suffering 13 defeats in their first 16 outings, leaving them on a precarious path towards relegation. Historically, only one Premier League team has managed fewer points at this stage of the season.
Defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis took to the blame after the Tottenham game, stating, “(The fans) want to see the team win, so it’s normal. The booing should be on us players and not the manager. He’s not creating the mistakes. It is us on the pitch. But they just want to see the team win. Credit to them, they stuck with us after a first half that wasn’t acceptable.”
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This latest shake-up follows a tough season for the Premier League, with four managers already sacked. Previously, Leicester City’s Steve Cooper and Manchester United’s Erik ten Hag also faced the chop.
Meanwhile, Wolverhampton Wanderers announced the sacking of Gary O’Neil as their manager after a winless streak left them deep in the relegation zone, finding themselves four points adrift of safety. Following a dismal 2-1 home defeat to Ipswich Town on Saturday, the club is now sitting in 19th place with just nine points from 16 games, having conceded a league-high 40 goals.
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Wolves have been dealing with off-field issues as well, such as Mario Lemina losing the captaincy after a fallout with Jarrod Bowen of West Ham United. “Wolves have parted company with head coach Gary O’Neil and his backroom staff,” the club confirmed.
The upcoming fixtures look daunting for Wolves, who travel to Leicester City on Dec. 22 before facing the challenging prospects of clashes with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur later in the month.
O’Neil’s reign saw the team fail to secure a victory in their first ten league games. Despite fleeting hope with back-to-back wins against Southampton and Fulham, the reality of four consecutive defeats ultimately led to his dismissal. This decision came swiftly after club chairman Jeff Shi had publicly backed him amid overwhelming criticism from the fanbase. “We’re very grateful to Gary for all of his effort, dedication and hard work during his time at the club, and we wish him and his team the best of luck for the future,” Shi remarked.
The former Bournemouth manager was under contract until 2026 after being appointed just prior to the last season following the departure of Dutchman Julen Lopetegui. O’Neil’s tenure at Wolves included 20 wins, 11 draws, and 32 defeats across 63 matches, now qualifying as the third Premier League manager to be shown the door this season.
