Russell Martin happy to repay Southampton's faith with Premier League return

Russell Martin said he was happy to repay the faith shown in him by Southampton after the Saints secured a return to the Premier League with victory over Leeds United in Sunday's Championship play-off final.

Adam Armstrong's clinical first half strike sealed a 1-0 win against Leeds at Wembley, sealing a return to England's top tier following their relegation in 2022.

The win went some way to justifying Martin's appointment, whose arrival at St Mary's last June was greeted with little fanfare.

In his first season on England's south coast, Russell has revitalised a team that was shattered by their bottom of the Premier League finish 12 months ago.

Winning promotion will finally silence the doubters who questioned whether a manager who led Swansea to a mid-table position in the Championship in 2023 was the right man for the job.

Just three years ago, former Scotland and Norwich defender Martin was managing Milton Keynes Dons in the third tier, but now he can look forward to pitting his wits against Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta and company.

The 38-year-old paid tribute to Southampton's owners and former director of football Jason Wilcox, who brought him to the club but left to join Manchester United last month.

"I just feel grateful to the owners for giving me the opportunity in the first place, for Jason. I feel immense pride in what we have achieved," Martin said.

"I feel like it wasn't a sexy appointment for Southampton Football Club, me coming in, but they were brave enough to give me the opportunity and hopefully we have repaid them with a day they will remember forever.

"It has given me one of the best days of my career for sure, so yeah I just feel nothing but gratitude and a lot of love for the people I've worked with