Former Southampton manager Russell Martin’s Leicester City links could resolve the futures of Will Smallbone and Gavin Bazunu.
Following the signings of Daniel Peretz, Cyle Larin, and George Long, Saints fans are hoping for some key renewal updates. But amid this anticipation, the most likely name to be associated with a new club isn’t a current Saints player, but a former manager.
The figure in question is ex‑Saints boss Russell Martin. While the 2023/24 promotion‑winning manager has been linked with several vacancies in the past, he is now the leading frontrunner for the Leicester City job this summer.
Transfer Correspondent Pete O’Rourke confirmed: “Leicester City are confident of appointing former Rangers and Southampton boss Russell Martin as the club’s new head coach as talks progress.”
From Southampton’s perspective, seeing their former manager land a new role comes as a source of shared satisfaction. However, the situation becomes more intriguing when one considers that Martin’s arrival at Leicester could help resolve the futures of some out‑of‑favour Saints.
Russell Martin could be interested in reuniting with Will Smallbone
While Russell Martin’s managerial spell has spanned several clubs, the manager had some of his most trusted players during his St. Mary’s era. One of the most prominent trusted players of Martin has been Will Smallbone.
Notably, Smallbone was an ever‑consistent piece of Martin’s promotion‑winning team in the 2023/24 campaign. With the midfielder providing unmatched stability by donning multiple roles in the centre of the park, Saints looked a much better side with Smallbone’s presence.
The reason is that Smallbone thrived under Russell Martin’s possession‑based system. Known to control the tempo of the game, hardly any Southampton manager has used Smallbone as effectively as Martin did.
Unsurprisingly, Smallbone’s best campaign to date came under manager Martin. In the 2023/24 season, the midfielder registered 11 goal contributions in 50 games played across all competitions and stood as an indispensable component of Russell Martin’s side.
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Nearly two years later, the midfielder is now tipped for a reunion with Martin if the manager arrives at Leicester. While Smallbone has had a couple of injury‑riddled campaigns since, the player possesses a genuine chance to return to his best under his long‑trusted manager.
Again, the decision to drop down to League One could be a crucial call for Smallbone. However, the player could be open to a move should Leicester show ambition by bringing Martin to the helm and backing the gaffer.
Gavin Bazunu could be an interesting pick for Martin’s Leicester rebuild
The fact that Russell Martin is one of those gaffers who loves working with familiar players could be key for Southampton’s cause this summer. That’s because Leicester could make a move for Gavin Bazunu should Martin be appointed as their manager soon.
Bazunu was another undisputed starter in Russell Martin’s 2023/24 promotion‑winning campaign. With the keeper starting 41 games in a row in the Championship, he played a crucial part in Southampton’s journey to the playoffs.
While a decisive injury in the final phase of the campaign saw him miss out on the promotion celebrations, Bazunu could relive that moment with Martin should the duo reunite at Leicester.
Another factor that further favours this possibility is the tipped departure of Leicester’s current number one, Jakub Stolarczyk. With him being rumoured with Wieczysta Kraków, and backup choice Asmir Begović’s contract yet to be renewed, there is a clear need for a top goalkeeper.
Here’s where Saints keeper Gavin Bazunu comes as a natural choice for Leicester’s League One rebuild. Though his form has seen a dip at the Championship level, Bazunu could still be a great pick for a promotion‑pushing League One side like Leicester.
Being well familiar with the league’s level from his spell with Portsmouth, Bazunu could help the Foxes in their quest to return to the Championship. His possible transfer could also be key to Southampton’s plans, as the Saints look to bring in a fresh backup keeper.
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