Russell Martin was an influential player for Norwich City during Paul Lambert’s reign.
Former Norwich City defender Russell Martin says he told Ipswich Town manager Paul Lambert he wouldn’t sign for the Suffolk club in a joking conversation the duo shared recently, Eastern Daily Press report.
“I wouldn’t do it. There was a very loose, joking conversation about it but he knew my answer!” Martin said.
“I don’t support him going over there to the blue and white, and he knows that, but he’ll always be the gaffer to me when I see him and it’ll be the same with most of the lads that have played for him.
“But I think he sees it as a chance to rebuild something, like he did here. The club’s a shambles isn’t it, so it can only go one way!”
Martin was an influential figure at Norwich during Paul Lambert’s reign there as boss. He made over 280 appearances for the club, helping the Canaries to back-to-back promotions.
The 33-year-old still remains close to Norwich, despite having signed a short-term deal with MK Dons in League Two following a short stint at Walsall as player-coach in League One.
Lambert, meanwhile, finds himself in charge of Norwich’s biggest rivals Ipswich Town, where it looks like the Tractor Boys will be relegated from the Championship as they find themselves 13 points adrift of safety.
Ipswich have improved under Lambert, while the number of academy players getting first-team minutes is encouraging. Nevertheless, the Suffolk club have managed just a miserable three wins all season.
Having guided Norwich from League One to the Premier League, Lambert will be hoping to do the same at Portman Road but he will most likely have to do it without the help of his former Norwich heroes.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
