December 16 – The Premier League’s bottom two clubs both sacked their managers on Sunday as Gary O’Neil was dismissed by Wolverhampton Wanderers, followed by Southampton parting company with Russell Martin.
Martin, whose adventurous but risky style of play left his team far too open for the top flight, was shown the door after a 5-0 home thrashing by Tottenham Hotspur left the Saints adrift at the bottom on just five points – nine off Premier League safety.
Martin, 38, had guided Saints to promotion last May in his first season in charge, beating Leeds United in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.
But from day one Southampton struggled with their return to the Premier League without sufficient quality to maintain their possession-based style and have just won once in the league this season in 16 games.
“We can confirm that we have taken the difficult decision to part ways with our Men’s First Team Manager, Russell Martin,” the club said in a statement.
“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.”
The club said its under-21 team manager Simon Rusk would take over on an interim basis.
Earlier, second to bottom Wolves, four points ahead of Southampton, sacked O’Neil after the club won just three games since March.
Owned by Chinese investment group Fosun International, Wolves have been in the Premier League since 2018 but are now looking for a fourth full-time manager since the departure in 2021 of Nuno Espirito Santo, who got the team promoted six years ago and is now working wonders at Nottingham Forest.
“We’re very grateful to Gary for all of his effort, dedication and hard work during his time at the club, and we wish him and his team the best of luck for the future,” said Wolves chairman Jeff Shi.
O’Neil had previously expressed criticism at the club’s owners for sanctioning the sale of top players like Raul Jimenez and Ruben Neves over the past three transfer windows, generating £140 million but not investing enough quality back in the squad.
Whoever takes over at either club are going to have a tall order trying to preserve their respective Premier League status with three clubs going down at the end of the season.
Wolves are reported to be in talks with Saudi Arabian club Al-Shabab to lure manager Vitor Pereira, previously successful at Porto and Olympiakos, to replace O’Neil.
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