Russell Martin appointed Leicester City manager on three-year contract
Russell Martin has been appointed Leicester City manager on a three-year contract.
Martin has been out of football since his sacking at Rangers in October and will be tasked with guiding the former Premier League champions to promotion from League One this term following successive relegations.
“I’m delighted to be here and excited to begin working with the players and staff,” Martin said in a club statement. “This is a club with great history, strong support and high expectations, and I’m looking forward to getting to know the Club, the city and the supporters.
“My immediate focus is on the team: building strong relationships, setting clear standards and creating performances that Leicester City supporters can connect with and be proud of.”
The 40-year-old oversaw just one victory in seven Scottish Premiership games for Rangers and the club were humiliated 9-1 on aggregate by Club Brugge in the Champions League play-off stage.
Martin, who was appointed on a three-year contract at Ibrox last June, spent just 123 days at Rangers — the shortest managerial spell in the club’s history.
He was among the candidates to replace Wilfried Nancy, who joined Celtic in a disastrous short-lived stint, at MLS side Columbus Crew but missed out on the job to Henrik Rydstrom.
Martin, a former Scotland international, led Southampton to promotion from the Championship via the play-offs in 2023-24 but was dismissed by the club in December the following campaign after 13 defeats in 16 league games.
Leicester are back in the third tier of English football for the first time since 2008-09.
Last season saw Marti Cifuentes and then Gary Rowett manage the club. Their relegation came after being hit with a six-point deduction in February for breaching the EFL’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) during the three-year period ending with the 2023-24 season.
Jon Rudkin, Leicester chief football officer, said the appointment of Martin comes after a “thorough process” and that he “reflects the qualities that are important” for the club.
“He is a strong leader, a clear decision-maker and someone with a defined way of working,” Rudkin said. “He understands the responsibility that comes with leading the team and he is well placed to help us move forward with purpose and direction.”