Connect with us

Championship

First words from Russell Martin as he speaks on becoming new Leicester City manager

We check out the first words from Russell Martin as he speaks on becoming the new Leicester City manager, signing a three-year deal.

The 40 year old, who has previously managed the likes of MK Dons, Swansea City, Southampton and Rangers, returns to management since being sacked by the Ibrox outfit in October. Leicester had been first interested in appointing Martin prior to him joining Rangers.

The Foxes appointed Marti Cifuentes, who ended up getting sacked in January after six months in charge, with Gary Rowett named as the interim but was unable to keep the up, back-to-back relegations, not helped by the 6 point deduction for breaching EFL financial rules.

It means Leicester are in the third tier for only the second time in the club’s 142-year history, preparations begin for life in League One.

The club said in a statement on their website: We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Russell Martin as Leicester City’s new First Team Manager.

Russell, who has managed more than 250 games and combines extensive coaching experience with a playing career at the highest level of English football, has signed a contract until 2029 and begins work immediately as preparations continue for the 2026/27 campaign.

The club note his widespread recognition for his commitment to progressive football, player development and strong team culture during successful spells with MK Dons, Swansea City and Southampton.

Martin, said: “I’m delighted to be here and excited to begin working with the players and staff. This is a Club with great history, strong support and high expectations, and I’m looking forward to getting to know the Club, the city and the supporters.

“My immediate focus is on the team: building strong relationships, setting clear standards and creating performances that Leicester City supporters can connect with and be proud of.”

He said in his first interview, as per the club’s website: “I’m very happy to get it done and just really looking forward to getting started properly, meeting everyone, and then getting out on the grass and working with the players.

“I’ve had a bit of a break, so this one was always going to be about how I felt about it, the process and the people I’ve met, James [McCarron], Jon [Rudkin], the Chairman. It’s been really fantastic and it’s just really exciting.

“I think it’s a chance to build something here with big energy and build some connections with what we’re going to try and do. The excitement, and the feeling I had about it all, was the biggest attraction, feeling that it’s going to be a really amazing experience.

“The energy that we have together, fans, players, staff, it’s going to take a huge amount of energy, a big team effort. It’s going to take everyone. I think that can be so powerful. If we can build that and build something that everyone really believes in and feels proud of, then we can have a really exciting season.

“My job is to bring that energy myself, to convince the players to bring that energy and the staff around everyone else. It’s not about me, it’s not about one person, it’s not about anything else and us being together and just aiming and heading in the right direction, in the same direction, and giving everything.

“The only thing I’m ever going to ask from the players and the staff here, and of myself, is to be all in and give everything I possibly can, and for them to do the same when on the training pitch, when on the pitch at the King Power, when we are having to fight and compete for the supporters, for the Football Club, that we give everything, all the time.

“If we do that, we have a real chance of achieving something.”

On his philosophy: “It’s to be aggressive, with and without the ball, to dominate as much as we can, and to be exciting, to be attacking, to want to score, to have desire to score, desire to defend. It’s very much going to be about spirit, about a team fighting for each other and for the people in the stands.

“We have to build that first, to be really competitive, to work more than anyone else, to work so hard for what we’re going to try and achieve. And then after, we can start adding and fine tuning bits.

“But first, we need to be a machine that is together, that fights together, that runs together, that works together, and hopefully people in the stands and everyone will see that and feel that, and then we can start adding the exciting stuff after that.”

He continued: “We’re going to go straight to work. We’ll be really clear with the players about what the expectations are going to be from us as a group of staff, about what it’s going to look like, about what we’re going to aim for, about what’s going to be really important to us as a group, on the pitch and off the pitch and how we behave every day.

“And making sure we build a culture at the training ground that is really clear, is really demanding, hopefully in the best way, where we care about what we’re doing and the people that are doing it and then work, real hard work, so we’re ready for the first game to compete and show what we’re going to be about.
“I can’t wait. I think the thing I’ve missed the most being out of a job is being on the grass with the players. I love coaching, I love working with players and it’s what I have a passion for, being on the training pitch with them. It’s the best bit of a job, and I’m excited about that.”

“I’m still only 40, so I still deem myself as a fairly young manager, but I feel quite experienced.I’ve learned from everywhere I’ve been, different clubs, different places, different challenges, and this is different in its own way.

“I have to really respect that and respect this Football Club and what it’s been about. I’ve spoken to a lot of people about it, people who have worked here, people that played here and they all say the same thing – people are brilliant, the Club’s fantastic.

“If we can get the energy going in the right place and shift the energy from where it’s been, which I’m convinced we will, then we have a chance to achieve something brilliant. That’s why we’re all here and I hope I can just put my spin on that and our spin on that quickly over the next few weeks.

“It’s really important to approach it with a fresh energy. It’s gone, whatever’s happened in the last couple of years. This Club has proved, and in recent history, it’s capable of amazing things, incredible things.
“Hopefully we’ll now be able to add to that in our own way, in our own story, to achieve something really brilliant this season.

“I have big energy and I felt really ready to come back. I’ve watched football in a lot of different countries, I’ve been all over Europe watching football and spent a lot of time studying lots of different football. It’s been really good for me.

“I think the previous break I had from the game, I genuinely wanted a break from the game because I’ve been 20 years playing and managing, but this one, when I finished in October, I almost had a bit of frustration, so the energy’s been about making sure for my next job I’m ready and try to improve as many things as possible, pick up things from different coaches, different teams.

“I spoke to a lot of people, presented myself on a few coaching things around the country, just because I have a real passion for coaching and meeting people there as well and taking different things from different people. It’s been great and I hope to show that.

“I feel I’m in the best place I ever have been to go and deliver something that people feel connected to it, people feel proud of, and a team that wins, and that’s why we’re here. We need to win. And we need to win in a way that we want to win it.”

His message to the fans: “I hope to bring them a team that they can be really proud of, that they feel connected to in the way that it works,” he concluded. “I think the fact that the Club’s already sold 22,500 season tickets, we are going to need everyone, and the fans will be the difference.

“I think this season, with so many games, we are in a position now where a lot of teams will be excited to play against us and see it’s a big challenge and we need to make sure we’re up for that and we need to live up to that.

“The supporters and the energy, having played against Leicester in League 1 when they won the league many, many moons ago, I feel really old. I’ve played against them in the Championship here as a manager and as a player, played against them in the Premier League here. I felt that energy as an opposition, as an opponent. So now I’m really excited about feeling that in the dugout here.

“We have to make sure the players give everything they possibly can to give the supporters, who are the most important people at every football club, because they’ve been here long before me and long after me they’ll be here, something to be proud of.

“That’s my job, to give them a team that wins and one they feel they can really go on a journey with.”

Leicester City Chief Football Officer Jon Rudkin said: “Russell’s appointment follows a thorough process and reflects the qualities that are important for Leicester City. He is a strong leader, a clear decision-maker and someone with a defined way of working.

“He understands the responsibility that comes with leading the team and he is well placed to help us move forward with purpose and direction.”

Leicester City Sporting Director James McCarron said: “Russell will be supported by a football structure focused on alignment, accountability and high standards. Our role is to make sure the right environment is in place around the team.

That means creating an environment where players and staff can perform at their best, strengthening the culture across the football operation and ensuring our work in recruitment, development and performance is aligned and consistent.”

Russell’s extensive playing career saw him make 579 appearances for the likes of Wycombe Wanderers, Peterborough United, Norwich City, Rangers, Walsall and MK Dons – with over half of those appearances coming for Norwich City.

His first managerial position was with MK Dons in November 2019 in League One, where his style of play earned many plaudits, leading to a move to Swansea City in the summer of 2021.

After two seasons in the Championship with the South Wales side, he joined Southampton for the 2023/24 season – which included a club-record 25-game unbeaten run that ultimately led to promotion to the Premier League.

Following the appointment of Russell Martin as our new First Team Manager, we can confirm that Gary Rowett and Callum Davidson will leave Leicester City upon the conclusion of their contracts this summer.

Assisted by Callum, a former City team-mate, Gary took charge of the First Team on a short-term basis in February, and both led the squad with professionalism, commitment and care throughout that time.

 Rudkin said: “On behalf of everyone at Leicester City, I would like to thank Gary and Callum for their contributions since rejoining us earlier this year.

“They stepped forward at an important and challenging time for us and worked extremely hard to support the players, staff and wider Football Club with integrity and dedication.

“We are grateful for their efforts and the way they have represented Leicester City. Both Gary and Callum leave with best wishes for the future from everyone at the Football Club.”

This is the fan reaction while checking out the first words from Russell Martin as he speaks on becoming new Leicester City manager…

@Birdiex94x: Well then. It’s done now, all we can do is back him and hope this can be a turnaround for us both after the last two years 🙏🏼 Now let’s get some players sold, promoted from the youth and bought 🙌🏼

@CBailey31: Reading lots of views on Martin and majority say as long as he has learnt from his mistakes at Rangers and the club back him with transfers. In his eyes he made no mistakes at Rangers thats his thing. We are not making signings until we sell apart from free and loan #lcfc

@IainW198: The reality is, RM would have been in this position wherever his next club was due to his limited success. Rather than blind faith, he needs to earn our support through heading lessons on his style of play, showing commitment, picking players that care & reset the culture. #LCFC

@AllSaintsnews98: Absolutely staggered at the backlash from Leicester fans! Martin is an experienced coach and brilliant man-manager who can navigate the various intricacies of the media too. Rangers was a disaster, but there were clearly a range of ulterior factors at work there. At Southampton he was a great manager – until he was tactically found out in the prem. Genuinely not sure who Foxes’ fans would have preferred? The caliber of Martin in League One is brilliant. #SaintsFC

@sparky__26: Not my choice by any stretch but he’s not the issue, the ownership and the board are, they’re the ones that no doubt will have sold him a pack of lies as they have done previously and, ultimately, it’s not his fault they’ve chose him. Get behind him and give him a chance #lcfc

@Ashleypp1986: Fans will want Russell Martin to fail. So they can say ‘Told you so’! Fucking odd! If he fails the club fails! Let’s get behind him! Forget what he did at Rangers and judge him what he does at leicester city football club! #lcfc

@kateblakey40: Pleased with this. A great coup for this league. Welcome Russell. Sort this shit out and off we go. 🦊 #lcfc #leicestercity

@L1minus10: Some breathtaking whoppers in the Leicester fan base in the replies to this. You’re in League 1 and in a complete mess, a mess which has nothing to do with Russell Martin. He’ll do a decent job if you give him a bit of time.

Related Topics
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

More in Championship