SWANSEA City boss Russell Martin has verbally agreed to become the new Saints manager and is likely to replace Ruben Selles.

As reported first by Sky Sports, the 37 year old’s appointment is pending a release agreement between the two clubs with 12 months left on his current contract.

Although nothing is finalised, it grows increasingly likely that Martin will become the new manager at St Mary’s and lead the side in the Championship.

Some senior figures inside Staplewood want Martin’s appointment confirmed ahead of the upcoming operations statement regarding next season. 

READ MORE: Selles claims he did not know of Martin links to Southampton job

As Selles has confirmed, Sport Republic will release their plan of action for how the club plan to move forward following relegation. It is said players have already seen it.

Daily Echo:

Sport Republic and the club are set to release the statement following the conclusion of the Premier League season, which finishes at home to Liverpool on Sunday.

The Championship season then begins in the first week of August, leaving only just over two months to fully prepare for the campaign ahead.

The appointment of a new first-team manager early to back up the operations statement is hoped to be able to convince some players to stay at the club.

Martin was not the only manager on the shortlist with the hunt for a new boss spearheaded again by Sport Republic’s Rasmus Ankersen.

A move for Martin has progressed quickly but the club were also interested in Manchester City assistant Enzo Maresca, as first reported by the Daily Mail.

The former West Brom and Juventus midfielder managed Man City’s elite development squad to a Premier League 2 title in 2021 but was sacked by Serie B side Parma later that year.

In June 2022, he returned to City as Pep Guardiola’s assistant and is now a Premier League champion after the Etihad Stadium-based side lifted the trophy this weekend.

Daily Echo:

Maresca was also billed as a potential replacement for former manager Ralph Hasenhuttl when the Austrian was sacked in November last year.

The Italian has decided to remain alongside Guardiola at City before taking another step into senior management himself.

Ankersen and Saints scouted leagues such as France, Belgium, Germany and Turkey in their search while Middlesbrough’s Michael Carrick was also a name mooted to the Daily Echo.

Other managers tipped by bookies such as Wayne Rooney, Tony Mowbray, Steven Gerrard and Nuno Espirito Santo were not thought to be in consideration.

Martin’s teams have been possession-based but in four seasons across MK Dons and Swansea he has only finished mid-table in League One and the Championship.

Swansea ended this current season just three points off the playoffs after going nine matches without defeat. 

Saints hope that with increased investment and better quality players, his domination of games can lead to results – and promotion back to the Premier League.