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'A big loss': Legend fears 37-year-old manager will take over Southampton

Southampton are expected to hire Russell Martin as their new manager following relegation from the Premier League and Swansea City legend Neil Taylor believes he will be a ‘big loss’ at the South Wales outfit. 

There can be a temptation at times to view relegation as something of a doomsday scenario. A world-destroying, nuclear disaster of a situation.

But Southampton need only look at Fulham and Burnley, for example, to realise that, perhaps, relegation should be seen not as a catastrophe but more of an opportunity. A chance to rebuild and restructure. A chance to ship out a number of high-earning underperformers, and construct again upon the foundations of youth, passion and potential. 

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In Adam Armstrong, Tino Livramento, James Bree, Gavin Bazunu, Sam Edozie, Kamaldeen Sulemana and co, Southampton have a handful of players who could actually benefit from a season in the second tier, even if the likes of James Ward-Prowse, Kyle Walker-Peters and Romeo Lavia are likely to depart. 

Will Russell Martin become Southampton’s new manager?

What’s more, in Russell Martin, the Saints are reportedly closing in on a manager who – at Swansea City – has proven himself capable of developing a crop of technically-gifted youngsters. All the while instilling a clear, coherent style of play. 

That Swansea finished just three points adrift of the play-offs in 2022/23 was nothing short of a minor-miracle; Martin thriving amidst the distraction of off-field issues, ownership problems and the departures of many a key player. 

“They’ve got a good manager in Russell Martin,” former Swansea left-back Taylor tells BBC Sport. “(Martin) if he leaves, will be a big loss

“It’s important, with the next one, that he follows the same model and the same style of play. If you lose your identity you can slide quite quickly. So you’ve got to keep that as best as you can.” 

Only Champions Burnley averaged more possession per game than Swansea last term.

There has not yet been any confirmation regarding Martin’s impending switch to the South Coast. Though the Saints appear to be have moved well clear of fellow Championship newcomers Leicester City in the race to appoint one of the EFL’s brightest tactical minds. 

Norwich City v Swansea City - Sky Bet Championship
Photo by Athena Pictures/Getty Images

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