Russell Martin was moved to tears seeing Southampton return to the Premier League under his leadership, overwhelmed by the support from the club. With Adam Armstrong’s decisive goal in the Championship play-off final at Wembley, Martin’s team secured promotion in their first attempt. As a former Swansea City manager, Martin, who took over from Ruben Selles last June, secured his first promotion as a manager after achieving it five times as a player. Reflecting on this accomplishment, Martin expressed his emotional gratitude for the remarkable team and their bravery, acknowledging the challenges they faced. He was particularly proud of the players’ growth, expressing his love for the group. Southampton’s captain, Jack Stephens, lauded his team for their exceptional performance, saying that it was his best experience in football. Despite not playing their best, they demonstrated resilience and determination when needed the most. The victory meant everything to Armstrong, who emphasized the hard work put in throughout the year. He credited the coaching staff for setting high standards from the start of the season, culminating in their success. In the end, the win exemplified the essence of football, with Armstrong excited to be part of such memorable moments.
