Russell Martin says criticism is personal as Leicester sit 18th

Leicester City manager Russell Martin told reporters on 12 September that the criticism he has endured has ‘become really personal’, after his side have slipped to 18th in League One with just one win, two draws and two defeats in their opening five games. The interview was recorded by TARA ANSON-WALSH for the FOOTBALL desk, and Martin said the attacks are “really difficult for the people around me, who know me and understand me.”

From promotion hopes to historic low

Leicester City entered the campaign expected to bounce straight back to the Championship after enduring consecutive relegations from the Premier League to League One. Instead, the Foxes find themselves 18th in the third tier, the lowest ever position in the club’s 142‑year history. Their record from the opening five fixtures reads one win, two draws and two defeats.

The downturn was underscored by a 4‑0 home loss to Oxford United last weekend, prompting chants of “sacked in the morning” from both travelling and home supporters. The thrashing intensified scrutiny of Martin’s job, which already sits under a cloud of criticism.

Martin, 40, told reporters on 12 September that the barrage has “become really personal” from some media figures and fans alike. “It is what it is, and I have to deal with it,” he said, adding that the attacks are “really difficult for the people around me, who know me and understand me.”

Captain Harry Souttar defended his colleagues after the Oxford defeat, insisting responsibility lay solely with the players. Young defender Jayden Joseph, 20, echoed the sentiment, urging patience and stating, “We need to give it that bit of time for it all to come together.”

Style, criticism and past record

Martin’s possession‑heavy philosophy has drawn ire, with former Foxes forward Matt Piper branding it “passing teams to death”. The manager, however, remains convinced of his approach, saying he loves “trying to develop people and players by playing in a way where they can bring the best version of themselves.”

Across his recent appointments at Southampton, Rangers and Leicester, Martin has secured only three wins in his last 28 league matches – an 11 per cent win ratio. At Rangers he managed seven league games, winning one, drawing five and losing one, and recorded five victories from 17 games in all competitions.

Looking ahead, Leicester travel to Stockport on Saturday, a fixture that Martin hopes will offer a chance to halt the slide. He left the interview without a clear timetable for turning fortunes around, leaving supporters wondering when the personal attacks will subside.