Russell Martin is the new Leicester City manager, signing a three-year contract just 123 days after his ill-fated Rangers spell ended in October. The 40-year-old drops down to England’s third tier to revive his coaching career, taking over a Leicester side languishing in League One after back-to-back relegations.
Martin replaces Gary Rowett, who failed to keep the Foxes in the Championship during his short-term contract last season. Rowett had taken over a side hit by a six-point deduction for previous spending breaches, a punishment that contributed to Leicester’s third relegation in four seasons – the nadir for a club that marked the 10-year anniversary of its famous 5,000-1 Premier League title triumph by dropping into the third tier for only the second time in 142 years.
“Russell Martin named Leicester manager three months after Rangers exit as Foxes drop to League One.”
“This is a club with great history, strong support and high expectations,” Martin said. “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.”
Martin becomes the seventh permanent manager appointed since FA Cup-winning boss Brendan Rodgers left in April 2023. Dean Smith, Enzo Maresca, Steve Cooper, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Marti Cifuentes and Rowett all had stints in charge at King Power Stadium in the chaotic years that followed. Maresca left for Chelsea immediately after leading Leicester to the Championship title in 2023-24, his only season in charge. In the same campaign, Martin guided Southampton to Premier League promotion via a play-off final win against Leeds United.
Leicester’s interest in Martin predates his Rangers move: the club was keen to appoint him last summer before he joined the Scottish side. His possession-heavy, patient passing approach at Southampton mirrored the style Maresca had implemented at Leicester, a philosophy Leicester’s sporting director James McCarron is backing. “Russell will be supported by a football structure focused on alignment, accountability and high standards,” McCarron said. “Our role is to make sure the right environment is in place around the team.”
Martin arrives with League One know-how, having started his managerial career in the division. Now both he and Leicester must rebuild reputations after a turbulent period that has seen the Foxes promoted once and relegated three times in the past four seasons, while Martin’s own stock fell after a 123-day stint at Ibrox.