Leicester fans roar for Martin's sack after Oxford thrashing
At the King Power Stadium on Saturday, Russell Martin’s Leicester City were hammered 4‑0 by Oxford United, conceding three second‑half goals in just 20 minutes. The loss marked the Foxes’ heaviest defeat in the third tier and an all‑time low in their 142‑year history, prompting chants for the manager’s sack.
The reaction in the stands was immediate. Former Foxes midfielder Matt Piper told BBC Radio Leicester, “This manager doesn’t seem to want to move away from the pass‑them‑to‑death style, and my fingers are pointing at him this afternoon.” He added, “I don’t think the manager should get sacked tonight, but that is a sackable performance.” The chanting grew louder as supporters shouted, “Russell Martin, your football is s***.” We expected a better display, so the disappointment turned into vocal protest.
Fans turn on Martin after the thrashing
Fans of both clubs joined in, with Oxford supporters chanting “you’re getting sacked in the morning” and Leicester fans echoing it. The home crowd also targeted the board, shouting “sack the board” as Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha watched. Mark Harris scored a double, his seventh‑minute finish sparking debate over the decision. The match picture appeared on Getty Images, captioned “Russell Martin was appointed Leicester City boss on 15 June”, reinforcing the visual record. The image was widely shared across Images platforms.
Martin’s record and the club’s precarious position
Since Martin’s appointment on 15 June, Leicester have played five League One games, recording one win, two draws and two defeats. The 4‑0 loss on Saturday left them 17th in the division, seven points behind leaders Sheffield Wednesday.
Martin, 40, signed a three‑year contract signalling long‑term backing. Yet his previous spells were brief: 123 days at Rangers, the shortest tenure in that club’s history, and a stint at Southampton that yielded only one win in 16 Premier League matches.
Martin admitted his side were “too soft and naive”. He noted that five starters were under the age of 23, including two teenagers, and that all five substitutes were aged 18, 19, 20, 21 and 23. He said the lack of experience contributed to the collapse.
Leicester City, a club with a 142‑year history, is also up for sale and has seen double‑figure arrivals and departures since relegation. The combination of on‑field struggles and off‑field uncertainty leaves the future of Martin’s project in doubt.