The saga has been dragging on for the best part of a month, but finally as Saints officially joined the Championship, the appointment could be announced and now we know where we are going.

The best kept secret of the last month is now official with Southampton FC finally making the announcement at around 7pm on Wednesday evening that Russell Martin is now the new first team manager at St Mary's.

This was of course only a surprise to someone living the Arctic Circle and having lost internet connection for the last month.

Some Saints supporters have been complaining that the club was a shambles and didn't know what it was doing, but the truth is this has been done and dusted and the pictures taken and the quotes compiled for over a Month, Russell Martin might still have been Swansea manager up till yesterday evening, but he has been working with the Director of Football Jason Wilcox and others behind the scenes, identifying transfer targets etc.

Saints certainly seem to think that he is their man and this is not another Nathan Jones situation, with a little known manager coming in above his weight.

Speaking on Southampton FC official website press release , Southampton FC Chairman, Henrik Kraft, said: “We are extremely excited to welcome Russell to Southampton.

“Russell was the stand-out candidate throughout our recruitment process and we are confident his strong track record, alongside the experienced leadership of our new Director of Football, Jason Wilcox, will deliver great results.”

Director of Football, Jason Wilcox, added: “Russell has shown fantastic qualities in his managerial career so far and is someone who we believe will thrive in the great environment we have here at Southampton.

“He is a fantastic fit for what we are trying to achieve, with a strong record of developing and nurturing young, talented players to fulfil their potential and deliver results on the pitch.

“We can’t wait for Russell to get started working with the team at Staplewood as we get ready for the new season.”

Of course Martin himself was clearly delighted.

“It’s a privilege to accept this opportunity at Southampton, a club with such a long and rich history.

“My aim is to get this club back where it belongs - in the top flight of English football.

“I am ready for this challenge and will give everything to achieve this aim and to give the supporters a team that makes them proud.

“I’m thrilled to be here and cannot wait for the work to begin.”

Photo: Action Images

ItchenNorth added 08:30 - Jun 22 Finally, a manager to unite the fanbase. Welcome Russell Joh Dahi Pep Martin.
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SAINTSNIL added 09:52 - Jun 22 Yes,just can't wait for the slow ponderous tippy tappy crap he is supposedly known for. Oh well , take my pillow go to sleep and then I am back in Puels time......😴😴😴😴
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highfield49 added 10:08 - Jun 22 He wasn't my first choice either but that doesn't make him a bad choice. Give the guy a chance, at least until there's some evidence that he isn't up to the job.
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SanMarco added 10:34 - Jun 22 I am agreeing with you twice in one day Highfield! It isn't an exciting choice but it is pretty self-destructive to not give the guy a chance.
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Jesus_02 added 10:47 - Jun 22 Finally a managerial appointment. How long since we sacked Nathan Jones. And who is we have appointed? Another Championship hopeful, with a great CV and mixed reviews from former fans. Do we genuinely have hope that he will be any better?
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Jesus_02 added 10:54 - Jun 22 MK Dons 13th in L1 (Best Possession Stats in Europe) Swansea 15th Championship Swansea 10th Championship Appointed Southampton Manager: “Russell was the stand-out candidate throughout our recruitment process and we are confident his strong track record..." I think they need a new recruitment process
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HythePeer added 11:24 - Jun 22 His style is an exact fit for Saints' style last year...hang on a minute?
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davenbennett added 11:47 - Jun 22 If Martin has been 'working behind the scenes', then in breach of contract with Swansea? They also have a good case for demanding the extra cash for manager going to a PL club. If Martin working for Saints on the sly before officially down, then bang to rights!
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halftimeorange added 11:52 - Jun 22 Any opinions we hold are not going to be proved until the season is well under way. I'm not expecting an instant fix as the starting line-up isn't yet known the players and Martin's training methods and approach to games have to have time to gel. I will watch with interest from my regular seat.
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mattlegod added 12:34 - Jun 22 Somewhat underwhelmed but my fingers are crossed that this appointment has something to do with Wilcox and that his track record is merely a result of restricted funds and support from his directors.... Good luck and welcome Russell Martin, it's going to be a tough season.
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felly1 added 15:11 - Jun 22 Friday night away at Sheff Weds first fixture and I'm starting to feel a bit gloomy if I'm being honest.. Can Saints and Russell Martin turn us around from such a doom laden and defeatist club.. Time will tell.. Good luck Russell.
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schatfield added 15:30 - Jun 22 Such doom and gloom people on this site.......imagine if the club had that view on all our past managers, we would never have hired the likes of Pochettino. The man knows the Championship and has a good a chance as anyone else. Am looking forward to the fixtures too, got fed up of always going to the same old rich clubs.....now we get to go to clubs with more interesting grounds where anyone can beat anyone. Exciting times for the new season.

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Stevebish added 17:02 - Jun 22 Well considering that we bought loads of players with pace and then played football that compressed the space for them to play into maybe he and his brand of football might just be what we need. And if we had played this style at times last season we might have had some better results. The main thing will be to get some older heads in to the team to keep the younger players organised and a good replacement for Lavia and whoever else leaves.

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ItchenNorth added 18:23 - Jun 22 Spot on schatfield. It just seems to be the way of vast swathes of society, always glass half empty. I'm really looking forward to this season. Ups and downs, who cares, it's football and I love it. COYR
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mattthelegend added 21:53 - Jun 22 Now we have him, let’s move on. No one can predict what’s going to happen, who’d of thought Gordon Strachan would of been such a success after relegating Coventry. On paper you’d like to think our players are a better standard than MK Dons or Swansea so how do we know his style of football won’t be successful. Some Saints fans are very self entitled, get behind the team and the manager and who knows?????? UTS 😇

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LoisDeem added 10:06 - Jun 26 Apart from the would of, could of, should of brigade who never, ever learn -I should like to stand up for the majority of my fellow Saints fans who are in the most part very tolerant, knowledgeable and clearly long suffering. Applying hindsight for one last time, we know that this last relegation could've been avoided. If only the club had listened to the groundswell of the fan base relegation should've at least been delayed for another season. There were 'big' casualties this time around too, and there doubtless will be next time, and attendances will have been hit overall with the three promoted /relegated teams ensuring that a lot less people will be able to see EPL football 'in the flesh'. I love reading comments on Saints here and elsewhere, but would urge more contributors to think them through before submitting: for instance the point of making comparisons is for effect, so ask yourself why Strachan will always have more in common with Kompany than Martin? For my ten penn'rth this last appointment looks even more random than the last two and based more on virtuality than reality. He -and the club -will get my support but I'm too old now for it to be unconditional, as I will always expect people to learn from their mistakes in order to move forward, and this crucial element has been found more and more wanting at Southampton FC.

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