GRAZ, AUSTRIA - OCTOBER 01: Rangers Head Coach Russell Martin during a Rangers press conference at the Merkur-Arena, on October 01, 2025, in Graz, Austria. (Photo by Alan Harvey/SNS Group via Getty Images)
The matches into the League One season and Leicester City fans already know that Russell Martin is a dud in their dug-out.
He is acting exactly as he did during his memorable 123 day spell at Ibrox.
His arrogance is over-powering.
In his mind he knows everything about football. It is players and the media that are at fault not the former Scotland defender.
Only Micky Beale delivers such arrogance with virtually nothing to back it up.
Martin did lead Southampton to promotion from the Championship but his time in the EPL had red flags everywhere.
Club owners and CEO’s seem to fall for his smug charm served up with PowerPoints and unfaltering self belief.
Incredibly Martin got through eight rounds of interviews to get the job at Ibrox. Presumably he continued to give his questioners the answers that they wanted.
FANS CAN SEE THROUGH RUSSELL MARTIN ALMOST INSTANTLY
In the dug-out he was a laughing stock.
Falling out instantly with senior players as he attempted to impose his way out style of play.
Management is about managing what you have. Not attempting instant Revolutions.
After nine months out of football Martin has learned nothing from his dramatic failure at Ibrox.
Leicester opened their League One campaign with a draw away to Notts County.
Going 2-0 down at home to Burton Albion after 25 minutes on Saturday didn’t go down well with Leicester fans.
And they were agitated even more by the reactions of their know-all manager.
?#LCFC | Russell Martin has told BBC Leicester Sport that there will be some ‘honest conversations’ after today’s defeat to Burton Albion.
Leicester City are sitting 18th in League One after the first two fixtures.
? https://t.co/ruTTFyCIWI pic.twitter.com/ZbenATjO4n
— BBC Sport Leicester (@BBCRLSport) August 22, 2026
As ever it is everyone else at fault rather than Russ.
Like Beale he knows everything about everything.
Unfortunately for Leicester Martin has learned nothing.
If anything he is doubling down as he explains why the players failed to stick to his instructions.
- We have to have honest conversations
- The fundamentals of the game are always going to be the fundamentals
- We’ve already watched the goals back as a group
We have to make sure that is the worst 25 minutes that we experience this season.
Tomorrow Leicester travel to Ipswich in the League Cup.
Martin lasted 123 days in charge at Ibrox. It seems unlikely that Leicester fans will be as tolerant of their smooth talking manager.
Get them up Loch Lomond Russ, they need to gel.
— Viva La Quinta Yamada (@Che_Ntcham) August 23, 2026
Why does anyone hire this fraud? ?
— Coopie Bastard (@CoopieBastards) August 22, 2026
An utter charlatan
— Selbs aye just Selbs (@pselbs) August 23, 2026
— Derek (@PCRSC13) August 22, 2026
Oh this reminds me of the first rangers game against Motherwell. Same old story. And he will lose this dressing room too. You were warned. This guy is hopeless at this football management. Tic tok tic tok
— Skoosh (@scott638) August 22, 2026
This guy must have the best agent in world football.
— RT (@ShetlandRyan2) August 22, 2026
— Ross Mcnally (@RossiNally85) August 22, 2026
Personally I thought he did an outstanding job while he was at iBrox.
But then I would think that, wouldn’t I?