Russell Martin is now fully in the Leicester City hot seat, and that truly is a warm chair indeed; the former Southampton and Rangers figure must overcome his own footballing trials and steady that King Power Stadium ship quite a lot! Stability is the clear aim through pre-season, and while renaissance is the hopeful word for the Foxes' intended aspiration, a complete overhaul being required and now well underway.
Paradoxically, since arriving at the LCFC Training Ground at Seagrave in Leicestershire, Martin has said and done things right; he is rigorously, even ruthlessly, conditioning the squad; players appear to be responding well to the challenge too. Who knew, eh? The gaffer has spoken plainly of total commitment on and off the field, and that clarity sets exactly the tone supporters have been waiting to hear.
Martin's credentials include guiding Southampton to Premier League promotion via the EFL Championship Play-offs. Earning a reputation for attractive, possession-led football, and spells in charge at MK Dons and Swansea before his brief time at Ibrox, where he surely learned and endured much even if results did not go his way.
Yet doubts linger among the Blue Army, for some fear the once Scotland National Team representative may prove too rigid in his approach. Refusing to alter his style even when matches demand a more direct or pragmatic plan is problem No.1; questions remain over whether he can rebuild morale swiftly enough in a league that rewards resilience as much as skill .
Russell Martin has notable people in his Leicester City corner
Martin already has notable voices speaking in his favour; only recently Leicester City great Jamie Vardy suggested the 40-year-old was 'the best the club could hope for' in its present circumstances. Though "JV9" would never have used such a turn of phrase, nor anything so formal as 'iteration', either! Even so, that endorsement may well have softened the view of a few doubters, including this writer.
Beyond the Leicestershire side's icon, former Martin teammate Aaron McLean has backed his mate wholeheartedly. The pair played together at Peterborough United, and McLean now works as a respected Sky Sports pundit.
Describing the appointment as 'a good one', the 43-year-old believes his former colleague can restore pride and purpose to Filbert Way. Noting that Leicester will be properly structured, more organised and better placed to recruit the right characters under the latest boss's leadership.
"Conor is a good friend of mine who was at Barnsley last season. So there's a wealth of experience there and something that Leicester desperately needs because the last couple of seasons have been a disgrace, you've got to say."Leicestershire Live
McLean also pointed to early moves such as bringing in experienced professional Conor Hourihane as proof of a desire to add proven quality, though he did not shy away from the hard truth that everyone in LE2 already knows. The organisation's recent fall has been painfully pitiful, and the last two seasons have been nothing short of a "disgrace".
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