Premier League manager 'fighting for his job' after just three matches

Southampton are reportedly prepared to part ways with manager Russell Martin if results do not improve by the end of September.

The Saints are back on the top table of English football after finishing fourth in the Championship last season and eventually winning the playoff final versus Leeds United at Wembley.

They enjoyed a record-breaking 25-game unbeaten streak in the second tier last term under the tutelage of former Swansea City boss Martin.

After collecting 87 points from 46 Championship regular season contests, Southampton finished nine points behind second-placed Ipswich Town, who secured automatic promotion alongside Leicester City.

Since returning to the Premier League, Martin's men have failed to collect a single point from three matches, meaning that they sit 19th in the early standings.

© Imago

Southampton's Martin 'fighting for his job'

According to Football Insider, the first managerial sacking of the campaign could be on its way before the end of the month at one of the newly-promoted sides.

The report claims that Southampton boss Martin is coming under increased pressure following a pointless opening to the 2024-25 season in the Premier League.

It is understood that the Saints' hierarchy are growing frustrated with the 38-year-old and are set to give him until the end of September to turn the team's fortunes around.

There are suggestions that some in the club's leadership group want Martin to employ a more pragmatic approach in order to grind out top-flight wins.

Regardless of those opinions, it is believed that the Scotsman is not willing to deviate from his expansive style which helped the Saints to the Premier League.

© Imago

What does the next month look like for Southampton?

Alongside Sean Dyche's Everton, Southampton are one of two sides in the Premier League who were unable to collect any points before the first international break of the campaign.

Finding the net just once across three matches - courtesy of Yukinari Sugawara's consolation at Brentford last weekend - it is clear that the Saints are struggling to click into gear at the top end of the pitch.

Martin potentially has three Premier League matches to save his job on the South coast, with the visit of Manchester United to St Mary's representing a difficult start to that trio of contests.

A week later, fellow top-flight newcomers Ipswich will journey down to the Saints, who then travel to Bournemouth for their final fixture of the month.

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