Southampton have fired manager Russell Martin following the club’s 5-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday night. The Saints gave up five first-half goals against Spurs at St Mary’s, and they were fortunate that the visitors did not punish them harder in the second half.

Southampton finished the weekend bottom in 20th place with five points after 16 matchweeks, nine points behind 17th-place Leicester City. On Sunday night, the club announced on their website that they had fired Martin, saying: “Going into the start of the season, we all knew the challenges that we would face this year as we readjusted to life in the top flight, competing in the best and most competitive league in the world.” “However, the facts of our predicament are plain. The board has backed Russell and his staff while remaining open and candid about our expectations. We’ve all agreed that there is an urgent need for results to improve. “We’d like to use this chance to thank Russell and his staff for all the hard work and dedication they have given the club on and off the pitch over the last 18 months. Everyone connected with Southampton FC will always have fantastic memories of last season, especially the Play-Off Final win in May.”

Southampton also announced that current Under-21s manager Simon Rusk will lead the club on an interim basis until a permanent replacement is found.

Some complimented Martin for introducing a possession-oriented style of play, with the squad averaging 53.2% possession in the Premier League this season, the seventh highest statistic in the top tier. Pep Guardiola even stated earlier in October that he would “learn a lot” from facing the former Southampton manager. However, while Southampton’s attitude under Martin was undoubtedly courageous, it would not be unjust to imply that it was also foolish, given the south coast club’s 36 goals conceded in the top division. If they continue on their current path, the Saints will surrender 85 goals over the course of a 38-game season, which would be the joint fifth worst record in Premier League history. Possibly Martin’s brand