after the sacking of Russell Martin, Saints announced that U21 coach Simon Rusk would take over on an interim basis, here we take a look at who Simon Rusk is and his experience.

Simon Rusk will turn 42 the day before he is scheduled to take on Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, the sacking of Russell Martin handed him an early birthday present, but most Southampton supporters will be unaware oof who he is or what he has done in the past.

Rusk started his playing career at his hometown club Peterborough United, but he moved to Boston United without making an appearance, back then Boston were a League club and he made 158 appearances for them before joining Northwich Victoria and then York City.

He joined Crawley Town, another club in the Conference and played a couple of seasons before retiring in 2011 ahead of Crawley Town's first season in the Football league, taking a job in the club's centre of excellence.

But in March 2012 he joined Brighton as manager of the U18 team, being promoted to the U23's head coach in 2015, in February 2016 he was promoted to the first team bench, ironically replacing ex Saints manager Nathan Jones, but this would be just to the end of the season.

He continued his progress through the Seagull's academy and in January 2021 he was appointed manager of National League side Stockport, he would be sacked in the October of the same year.

He was back in work in February 2022 as assistant to Mark McGhee at Dundee, but when McGhee was sacked at the end of the season he left to take up a post at the FA in England taking charge of the England U19 team.

In December 2023 he joined Premier League club Nottingham Forest as a set piece coach, but in the summer of 2024 he left to join Southampton as head coach of the U21 side.

Now he is the interim coach of Saints, although looking at his CV he is unlikely to be offered the job on a more permanent basis.

However he might well be offered a job in the new first team coaching set up, we lack a set piece coach and he has done that role at Nottingham Forest albeit for a short term.

All Photos Via Reuters

DorsetIan added 10:38 - Dec 16 He has managed Stockport in the National League and now he's got two days with a team who have just been humiliated to prepare for a quarter final against Liverpool. Good luck Simon Rusk. What a gig!
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Staycalm added 11:06 - Dec 16 I put this comment onto the other thread but more appropriate here: They should have made Jo Tessem the Interim Manager, supported by Fanny Benali. Jo sees all the problems, almost before they develop and Franny won't let them get away with a half hearted display!
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mushinexile added 11:22 - Dec 16 A bit of mentoring would do them some good but really, whoever it is that does the job, can we please start playing a different kind of football?
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Jesus_02 added 23:32 - Dec 16 So now people want the under 21 manager to come in and change the style of football in two days against the champions elect. I despair sometimes. Hopefully its just people getting on the baileys early.
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