Russell Martin has been dismissed from his post as Southampton head coach after a 5-0 trouncing at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday night appeared to be the final straw for the Saints hierarchy.

Sonny breaks records 🐐
More Madders magic 🪄
Deki delight 🌟

Highlights: Southampton 0-5 Spurs 🍿 pic.twitter.com/gBLwmWrEw4

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 15, 2024

After guiding Southampton to a dramatic return to the Premier League via the promotion play-offs last season, Martin failed to get his team out of first gear over the course of the first 16 league games of the season, winning just one game and scoring a measly total of 11 goals.

After a summer of heavy investment in the squad, spending over £110 million on new signings, Martin opted to stick with his signature, possession-based style that won him and his side promotion, believing the calibre of player signed in the transfer window provided enough quality to stick to what brought such success the previous campaign.

However, things unravelled fast once the Premier League season began, as Southampton failed to win any of their first nine games, immediately piling pressure on Martin.

While consecutive wins against Stoke in the EFL Cup and Everton in the league relieved that pressure somewhat, the Scotsman's relief was short lived.

A heavy 5-1 loss at home to Chelsea lifted the lid on a pandora's box of calls for him to be sacked, and last nights five goal drubbing at the hands of Spurs saw Martin leave the club with a whimper, with five points and 36 goal conceded.

Trailing 4-0 before the break, Martin was understandably frustrated, so much so that he headed down the tunnel to the dressing room a minute before the half time whistle. In doing this, he inadvertently missed the fifth Spurs goal.

The image of him turning his back on the pitch and his players would perfectly encapsulate the circumstances surrounding his sacking immediately after the full-time whistle.

In a statement released by Southampton officials following Martins' dismissal, it was said that: "Going into the start of the season, we all knew the challenges that we would face this year as we readjusted to life in the top flight, competing in the best and most competitive league in the world."

'However, 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.'

Martin was sacked less the an hour and a half after the full time whistle against Spurs, indicating that those in Southampton's board room had settled on sacking Martin whether the defeat was heavy or narrow.

Having been appointed as Saints head coach in June 2023, Martin garnered much praise thanks to his possession heavy style, which saw Southampton dictate the game against other Championship sides.

The Saints won 26 games across the regular 46 game season in 2023/24, enough to see them finish fourth in the table and qualify for the promotion play-offs. There, they would conquer West Bromwich Albion in the two-legged semi-final, before an early Adam Armstrong goal against Leeds United in the final would prove enough to reinstate them in the English top flight.

"Southampton announce their Wembley arrival!" 🚨

Clinical from Adam Armstrong! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/OZNRw7Nzft

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 26, 2024

And while the Premier League may have proved too much for the former Scotland international, he will certainly be well remembered for his hand in Southampton's promotion.

Southampton U-21's manager Simon Rusk will now take the reins on an interim basis, while Southampton's directors look for more permanent managerial candidates, with rumours already spreading that Steven Gerrard is in the conversation to become the Saints next permanent coach.