Arne Slot has joined Pep Guardiola in voicing his admiration for Southampton manager Russell Martin for sticking steadfastly to his principles despite results
Liverpool boss Arne Slot is the latest fully paid-up member of the Russell Martin fan club.
Martin’s Southampton team are bottom of the Premier League after winning just one of their opening 11 games – and already look on course for an instant return to the Championship . But Slot has joined Pep Guardiola in voicing his admiration for the 38-year-old Saints manager for sticking steadfastly to his principles despite coming under huge pressure to be more pragmatic.
“I have a lot of respect for Russell – but I would admire any manager that has different principles and just keeps on doing what he believes in,” said Slot ahead of his table-topping team’s trip to St Mary’s.
“I don’t think it’s about being an elite manager. I think that as a manager you have to believe in something – and, in my opinion, stick to that plan.
“If your plan is that you want to defend the whole game or all season, then stick to that plan, because you believe in it.
“You are trying to convince your players that that is the way to go. So, if after four, five, six weeks, you completely change your idea about football, that doesn’t send the right signal to your players. At least that’s what I think.
“Russell has his own style and he believes in it – and no-one knows for sure that if he or the club changed the playing style that it would lead to more points. What we do know is that he was really successful with Southampton last season because he brought them back up.
“They have been in with a chance of taking points from every game I have seen Southampton play because Russell makes it really hard for every team to play against them. Normally, teams that go up need some time to adapt to a new league. If you have a good idea about football and a good game-plan, then results will come.”
Guardiola was glowing about the way Southampton went about their business in giving the champions a scare at the Etihad last month before succumbing to Erling Haaland ’s goal. A few weeks earlier, Saints led at Arsenal before conceding three goals.
Southampton finally broke their Premier League duck by beating Everton at the start of the month, while confidence on the south coast was given another boost when they reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup by prevailing against Stoke.
Those wins came on the back of speculation that Russell’s job was coming under scrutiny. Slot said: “I don’t admire Russell just for his style of play, but I do like to watch Southampton’s games back that they played at Manchester City or Arsenal – or the other games where I see very interesting and smart patterns of play.
“It was interesting to watch his teams play in terms of style of play but also in terms of a game-plan. How they handled the press of City or how they handled the press of Arsenal, or Wolves.
“A lot has been said about British managers lately, with the appointment of Thomas Tuchel (as England coach).
“But I faced Gary O’Neil, who had a very good game-plan with Wolves in my opinion – and this is again a very interesting manager. In two or three weeks, I will face Eddie Howe, who I know already is a very good manager. Maybe you are not in as bad a place as people make out.”
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Learn more
