Southampton could be making a mistake replacing Ruben Selles with Swansea City manager Russell Martin as the relegated Premier League outfit prepare for life back in the Championship.
That is according to Sky Sports pundit and former England international Lee Hendrie.
Southampton, The Athletic say, are closing in on a deal that will see Russell Martin become their third head coach of 2023 already, replacing Ruben Selles following the Saints’ relegation from the English top-flight.
Southampton close in on Swansea City manager Russell Martin
“I don’t see the logic. I really don’t,” Hendrie argues. “He’s gone into Swansea and what has he actually achieved there? That’s what I would be asking.
“I like what Russell does, I like his style of play. He plays a lot of football, that’s one thing I will say for him. But when you finish in mid-table, I just think that is a big, big ask to go (into Southampton).
“Southampton are going to have to have that ‘bounceback’ factor, I feel. And to be honest, I don’t think he’s the manager who is going to take them back into the Premier League. I really, really don’t.”
The Saints’ very own Vincent Kompany?
Now, we have a few points.
First of all, yes Swansea may have finished in tenth place, but it seems a little unfair to describe Martin’s team as a ‘mid-table’ outfit when they ended up just three points outside of the play-off places.
Furthermore, as Swansea supporters will tell you, the former Norwich City and Rangers defender has had to contend with his fair share of off-the-field issues in South Wales, constructing a side capable of challenging for the top six despite ongoing mismanagement from those above him, and the departure of many a key player.
Southampton, The Athletic add, are planning to move away from the ‘Red Bull model’ of high-pressing, high-octane football. And towards a more patient, possession-heavy style.
Burnley’s evolution under Vincent Kompany – transitioning towards an all-new, all-modern style with almost an entirely new crop of players and bouncing back at the first time of asking – is proof that a lot can change in a short space of time and still result in success.
Only Burnley, runaway champions in 2022/23, averaged more possession per game than Martin’s Swansea.
Selles’ Southampton, meanwhile, lost 3-1 at South Coast rivals Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon.
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