Leicester hires Russell Martin after drop into League One
Why it matters: Martin inherits a club hit by back-to-back relegations and a points deduction, with pressure to win immediate promotion.
Leicester City hired Russell Martin as manager, turning to the former Southampton and Rangers coach after the club fell into League One. Leicester said Martin signed a three-year deal, while the Guardian reported the contract runs until 2029. The 40-year-old replaces Gary Rowett after Leicester failed to stay in the Championship and were dragged down by a six-point deduction tied to earlier spending breaches. Martin’s task is to push the Foxes back up from England’s third tier, only the second time in the club’s 142-year history they have played at that level. Leicester have cycled through a string of managers since Brendan Rodgers left in 2023, with repeated upheaval on and off the field.