Russell Martin has been confirmed as Leicester City’s new manager for their League One campaign. According to LeicesterMercury.co.uk, the former Scotland defender had long been admired at King Power and was heavily linked in summer 2025 before opting for Rangers.
Many saw him as a fit for the club’s possession-led identity. During Enzo Maresca’s season, only Martin’s Southampton kept more of the ball in the Championship, and at 40 he is the Foxes’ youngest boss since Paulo Sousa.
Martin revived Swansea’s passing game and led Southampton back to the Premier League, though a 17-game spell at Rangers unravelled. Adam Blackmore believes Leicester suits him and highlights his ability to build a united dressing room, while stressing a big rebuild and buy-in are essential.
Swansea reporter Tom Coleman recalls thrilling football but a side that struggled to grind results, with errors costly and a barren January window offering no help. He feels a little more pragmatism might have eased the bumps.
At Southampton an autumn wobble gave way to a 25-match unbeaten run and a Wembley win over Leeds, despite losing twice to Leicester during the campaign. Blackmore’s key criticism is Martin’s reluctance to tweak when faced with low blocks.
In Scotland, Scott Burns points to tactical rigidity and vulnerability as factors in his short Rangers tenure. Martin will spend the next two weeks preparing for pre-season, with a rapid squad assessment and trimming high on the list, and Blackmore suggests six months could allow Leicester to settle then push on.