‘BEST FEELING EVER, I’LL BE IN TEARS TONIGHT’
SOUTHAMPTON boss Russell Martin admitted he was overcome by emotion after leading Southampton back to the Premier League. ‘It’s probably the best feeling I’ve ever had,’ he said. ‘I’m really grateful. I’ve felt like that all week, filled with immense pride and gratitude with what the players have given us. They have been incredible in what they have done and how they’ve grown together, in terms of spirit. I thought that would be the toughest bit after how the group had been fractured and I hope we can keep as many of them together as we can. I’ll end up in bed alone tonight crying my eyes out and feeling nothing but love for the players.’
The 38-year-old gave his thanks to Jason Wilcox — who left to become the technical director at Manchester United last month — for showing faith in him. Wilcox joined Saints as director of football last summer after the club’s relegation and hired Martin. ‘Jason had a great day on Saturday (with United),’ he added. ‘Appointing me wasn’t a sexy appointment. They were brave enough to give me the opportunity and hopefully I have repaid them with a day they will remember for ever. It’s given me one of the best days of my career, for sure.’
Nine years ago, Martin captained Norwich to success in the Championship play-off final at Wembley and the Saints boss insisted this victory felt different, stressing that it was vindication for himself.
‘To do it as a player was amazing,’ he said. ‘It feels different as a manager because my family feel the weight of it so much more. My job is at stake with the precarious nature of it all. I have pitted my wits against some amazing coaches this season with the quality of the Championship and that Kieran (McKenna) and Enzo (Maresca) are linked with every job in the country shows it.’
No team in England have had a greater share of possession than Southampton’s average of 66.1 per cent and Martin will look to implement a similar style in the top flight. ‘Possession doesn’t win games but it is a vehicle to try to take some randomness out of the game but also the best opportunity to show the best version of yourselves. For me it is the best way to win, it is what we believe in and we finally won something doing it. It will be validation for some people. I am sure it will start, that we won’t be able to play this way in the Premier League, so it is up to us to prove ourselves right.’ Leeds boss Daniel Farke admitted he felt terrible after his side fell to a record fourth play-off final defeat. ‘It couldn’t be worse, we are suffering a lot,’ said Farke. ‘We feel the pain today and we are deeply disappointed that we are not back in the promised land. We will take this as extra motivation to come back stronger. It will be difficult to come back stronger than 90 points but to be able to call yourself a Premier League side is something we want.’