Top six favourites to become new Swansea manager as Russell Martin leaves for Southampton

We take a look at the top six favourites to become new Swansea City manager as Russell Martin leaves them for Southampton.

Southampton will name Swansea City’s head coach Russell Martin as their new boss with the Saints looking to rebuild after relegation from the Premier League.

The 37-year old replaces Rubens Selles, with some members of Martin’s Swansea coaching staff expected to join him at Southampton.

Southampton is paying compensation, worth around £400,000 to Swansea, for Martin and his staff, who have contracts that run through 2024.

Martin had been due to fly to the USA for discussions about his future with Swansea’s American ownership group last week, but that trip has been cancelled.

Although he’s expressed interest in extending his stay, no new agreement was reached.

The former Norwich City captain Martin, who left MK Dons in August 2021 to replace Steve Cooper at Swansea, signed a contract for three years and guided Swansea from 15th place in his first season as Championship manager to 10th position in the just-completed campaign.

Swansea started the season promisingly, reaching as high as 4th in October, before slumping in form then ended 2022-23 on a nine game unbeaten streak.

Southampton’s hierarchy is believed to have been impressed by his team’s possession-based football.

BREAKING: Southampton are set to confirm Russell Martin as their new manager this afternoon.

They will pay Swansea £400,000 compensation for Martin plus an additional fee for his backroom team.

– talkSPORT sources understand

📲 Listen ☞ https://t.co/VJgUHnqdM1 pic.twitter.com/ikSZK1lmZ4

— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) May 24, 2023

SOUTHAMPON STATEMENT:

Southampton Football Club can confirm that it has held conversations with Men’s First Team Manager, Rubén Sellés, and decided that his contract will not be renewed when it expires at the end of the season.

The club wants to place on record its thanks to Rubén for taking on the managerial position at a difficult time for the club and for giving his all as we attempted to stay in the Premier League.

Rubén will take charge of the team for the final game against Liverpool on Sunday at St Mary’s. We wish him all the best for his future career.

TOP SIX FAVOURITES TO BECOME NEW SWANSEA MANAGER:

BetVictor – 12pm – 24th May 2023
Steven Schumacher – 3/1
Steve Cotterill – 4/1
Luke Williams – 10/1
Ian Evatt – 10/1
Ryan Mason – 10/1
Kevin Muscat – 12/1

BetVictor – 5pm – 24th May 2023
Steven Schumacher – 3/1
Chris Davies – 4/1
Steve Cotterill – 4/1
Ian Evatt – 10/1
Ryan Mason – 10/1
Nathan Jones – 12/1

BetVictor – 10am – 25th May 2023
Steven Schumacher – 3/1
Chris Davies – 4/1
Steve Cotterill – 4/1
Oscar Garcia – 6/1
Ian Evatt – 10/1
Ryan Mason – 10/1

This is what fans had to say as the top six favourites to become new Swansea manager is revealed as Russell Martin leaves for Southampton…

@quarantiern: Russell Martin can certainly get a team to pass the ball and keep possession, that’s not the same as getting teams to keep the clean sheets and score the goals to win games though. Lots of potential there but he needs to take that next step

@scottmwalker14: Think Russell Martin position came under question when he called out the board after January. Think they always had plans of a change in manager which is why contract talks never happened. Sad state of affairs all round but wish him and his successor the best of luck!

@JordanWebber96: That looks like Russell Martin gone then for £400K. Glad it’s done and not been dragged out. Couldn’t think of much worse going in to another new season and a manger being brought in late on. At least the new gaffer will have time to implement his way. A new era. (Again) 🦢

@notch_32: Southampton football club would like to put its thanks on record for martins efforts in the first two weeks of the season. However results have not been what we expected and we now start our search for a new manager.

@benjiesta: £400k is heartbreaking for Swansea

@Madden1976: Fresh start let’s get on with it now. We started the season with a manager who didn’t mind a 9-0 and cried on the touch line. We replaced him with David Brent and then replaced him with the Spanish equivalent. Martin seems like a normal bloke fingers crossed! #SaintsFC

@Eliassfc2: Russell Martin taking us to the TOP

@MrTestosterone3: I’m so happy for Southampton. Swansea beat us 4-0 December 2022. Think Saints will walk the league unless Leicester get relegated. It would be ideal for Championship fans if Leeds & Everton both massive clubs with problems get relegated. Historically big clubs struggle.

@SamSaints_: 400k is a bargain 🔥

@Lee_Butcher82: Patience is not something our fanbase is known for, and yes I include myself in that, I try to be patient but after the last few years that’s hard to do, I don’t see us getting immediate promotion but if he gets us top 8 – top 10 he’ll have my support for a 2nd season

@andrewehayter: Another 3 manager season if Saints fans patience is a factor.

@rockhamappt: I’m happy to be patient just hopeful that we see consistent decision making and progress.

@scfccharlie: we have to be the least ambitious club in the 92

@Callanmonahan98: All the best RM thanks for the double double 🦢🦢

@JRodrigues09v2: 400k 🤣🤣 I’d be sick if I was Swansea

@swans_talk: This feels way too low. Only thing I can think of is whether they reduced it in exchange for some clauses around him not being able to sign our players. #swans 🦢

@sfry0804: You would have thought they learned from the Nathan Jones appointment, but no.

@Dylan_SCFC: losing one of the most talented gaffers in the efl for 400k is bumping

@JackDavies2406: 400k 😂 that’s what happens when you dither on a new contract. Could’ve quadrupled this figure if he had a longer deal

@leojoseph02: welp, good luck. to think most of us stuck by him through that run too. won’t get that at the saints.

@NickMad54900372: Something to consider, Only team close to Burnley in terms of possession and style was Swansea. I could see Russell getting the same tune out of Tella. #SaintsFC

@Ross_Hodgson98: Russ’ revolution starts now. Get Piroe in aswell and we can start the promotion push 🔴⚪️🔴⚪️ #SaintsFC

@OiOiToTheBoys:
Swans want 800k.
Southampton offer 400k.
So they compromise and agree on 400k.
Top bit of business, transfer window’s gonna be ace 🤙

@JakMorgan01: sacked by december, don’t think southampton will have the same patience as us

@Sparkyjack88: 😂😂😂 literally run by idiots. Wanted 800k but settled for 400k 😭😭😭 just when you think it can’t get any worse… It does!!

@KieranCraig2016: Finally done. Good luck to him except for when we get 6 points this season. Huge window now this for us we need to get this right #Swans