Southampton move for Swansea’s Russell Martin to replace Rubén Sellés

Russell Martin is in line to become the new Southampton manager. Martin was due to fly to Washington DC to meet Swansea’s American owners on Thursday for talks over his future but has remained at home. Martin has one year on his contract.

Southampton, who were relegated from the Premier League last week, are expected to formalise a deal to make Martin their new manager next week. Swansea are awaiting a formal approach for Martin, who has developed a fine reputation there in the second tier after leaving MK Dons.

The 37-year-old is highly rated by Rasmus Ankersen, the chairman of Southampton’s owner, Sport Republic. Martin has just led Swansea to 10th in the Championship, three points off the playoffs, having finished 15th in his first campaign at the club.

Martin, who succeeded Steve Cooper at Swansea in August 2021, would be expected to work closely with Southampton’s incoming director of football, Jason Wilcox, the former Blackburn winger who resigned as Manchester City’s academy director in January. Martin finished his playing career at MK Dons after spells with Norwich, Wycombe and Peterborough.

Rubén Sellés, who replaced Nathan Jones as Southampton’s manager on an interim basis, will depart at the end of the season. Leicester are also thought to be admirers of Martin but Southampton have moved quickly to prepare for their first season in the Championship since 2011-12.