SAINTS manager Russell Martin admits there was “pain” leaving Swansea City but feels he has “100 per cent” made the right decision.

The former Swans boss, who also managed MK Dons, departed south Wales after two seasons of progress which almost culminated in a late Championship playoff push despite financial restrictions.

Martin was pictured with staff and players alike for a farewell dinner and made a lengthy post on his own social media thanking those who he had worked with.

After over a week of pre-season at Staplewood, Martin is hoping to build similarly strong relationships and connections and was philosophical in his assessment.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, he said: “I 100 per cent feel like it’s the right decision but it also doesn’t make it an easy decision.

“When you choose to leave a club where you care about people and about helping them, there are people who have supported us 100 per cent, it was incredible, amazing.

“When you care about that it’s always painful, but it also gives you the potential for really brilliant moments, brilliant experiences and brilliant connections.

“I’m grateful we had all of that and I’m grateful we had a bit of pain leaving as well, if I didn’t my time there would have been pretty pointless having not made a mark on people or them having not made a mark on me.”

Martin added: “That’s how I choose to do it and it’s not for everyone in football, it’s not for everyone in life really, but that’s what is comfortable for me and it’s how I was as a player too.

“I stayed at a club where I felt connected for 10 years when I had the chance to leave, I’m here now and I’m already trying to build connections very quickly.

“We’re absolutely loving it, there’s no regret or anything. My family are still living in Swansea at the moment while I try and find a house, I was back there on Sunday as we had a day off because the lads were knackered.

“It’s a lovely place and everybody I bumped into wished me all the best, so that has been really nice. It’s a big change for all of us but it’s one we all agreed we wanted to do, one we’ll agree and one that is right for all of us.”