Southampton head coach Russell Martin emphasizes that his team must “embrace the challenge” of playing his style of football in the Premier League next season.
The Saints secured promotion back to the top flight after a 1-0 victory over Leeds United in the Championship play-off final on Sunday.
Martin faced criticism for his possession-based approach during the Championship season, particularly when the Saints had a slow start to the campaign.
“I know possession won’t win you games,” said Martin after his side’s Wembley success.
“But it is a vehicle for us to give ourselves the best opportunity to show the best version of ourselves, I really believe that.
“If you win this way, to me it is the best way, not the right or wrong way but it’s the best.”
Southampton concluded the Championship season in fourth place, defeating West Bromwich Albion over two legs before emerging victorious against Leeds in the final.
As the season unfolded, the players at St Mary’s became increasingly adept at implementing their head coach’s style, culminating in a club-record 25-game unbeaten streak.
Next season, Martin will make his debut as a Premier League manager, having previously led MK Dons in League One as recently as the 2019-20 season.
Before this season, his highest managerial finish was 10th place with Swansea in the second tier last year.
“I feel really emotional and overwhelmed by the support I have had over the last nine or 10 months, especially in the tough times,” Martin told Sky Sports.
“For them [Southampton] to give me the job in the first place, I felt like I had to do this to justify and validate it so I’m so pleased for them because it wasn’t an exciting appointment for them. To take me on was really brave.”
Come August, Martin will face the prospect of trips to Etihad Stadium, Anfield and Emirates Stadium, and tasked with trying to stop some of the most talented teams in world football.
“It’s up to us to prove ourselves in the Premier League next season,” added the 38-year-old, who played in the top flight with Norwich City.
“The style is something that myself and my players believe in, I won’t change and I love what I do.
“We’ll need to embrace the challenge without losing who we are.”
Martin needs credit – Tessem
Jo Tessem, former Southampton midfielder, asserts that Martin deserves full recognition for securing promotion in his inaugural full season at St Mary’s.
Tessem, now an expert summarizer for BBC Radio Solent, found the net 16 times in 130 appearances for Southampton from 1999 to 2004.
“You have to give Martin credit,” Tessem told BBC Sport.
“He has brought a new style of football and formation to Southampton which the players have learned and got better at as the season has gone on.
“He has used the style of football perfectly for the players that he has got in the squad.”
Yet, Tessem believes that minor tweaks to Martin’s approach will be necessary for the upcoming season.
Throughout 46 Championship fixtures this campaign, Southampton conceded a total of 63 goals.
However, there are positive signs as defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis is set to make his loan move permanent for £20m, and Southampton also aim to retain on-loan West Ham midfielder Flynn Downes.
“Martin will need to be a bit smarter with his style next season,” Tessem added.
“It all depends on the type of players he manages to buy for the Premier League – the position the club are in with the players is very good though.
“They can see what players will fit in next season, they will need to consider if the current players are good enough and where the squad can be added to that makes Saints even better.”
Meanwhile, former Southampton defender Francis Benali praised the remarkable work that Martin has accomplished.
Benali, who made over 300 appearances for the club, was honored with the freedom of the city in 2016.
“There’s a real identity to how the team play,” he told the Football Daily 72+ podcast.
“It’s been exciting to watch Saints this season and the vast majority of supporters have loved that connection he has with the supporters and his staff and the team.
“There’s a real positivity and I see him hopefully being here for many years.
“If anything, there’s a little bit of a worry that he has done that well – as we know only too well and Southampton have been in this position before, whether it’s top players or top managers, other clubs start getting interested in what they do.”
Martin’s style can ‘bring progress every fan craves’
However, Martin’s possession-oriented style of football has not garnered universal praise at his previous clubs.
During his tenure at MK Dons, he managed to secure 30 victories out of 80 games, resulting in 19th and 13th-place finishes in League One. Subsequently, at Swansea, he recorded 36 wins and 36 defeats, achieving 15th and 10th positions in the Championship.
Fans of Swansea City had grown accustomed to a more dynamic style of play under managers like Roberto Martinez, Brendan Rodgers, Michael Laudrup, and Graham Potter. The team had even reached the Championship play-off final under Steve Cooper just before Martin’s appointment.
BBC Wales football correspondent Rob Phillips noted that Martin’s approach “divided opinion” among supporters in south Wales. Nonetheless, Southampton’s promotion validates his tactical approach.
“He has finally confirmed that zealous adherence to his possession-based football principles can bring success,” said Phillips.
“At Swansea City, disciples of his method would relish the passing style and the enjoyment it brought when done well.
“The agnostics sometimes enjoyed the spectacle, but pointed to no end product – namely no promotion nor silverware.
“Southampton’s triumph, admittedly with greater resources than he had at the Swans, has vindicated his beliefs and shows the Martin style of ‘Total Football’ can bring the progress every fan craves.
“Now the Martin method faces its ultimate test in the Premier League.”