‘If we can build something everyone really believes in, we can have a very exciting season’

NEW BOSS RUSSELL MARTIN ON ACHIEVING SUCCESS

- By JOSH HOLLAND

NEW Leicester City manager Russell Martin has called for a “big team effort” to bring success to the King Power Stadium.

The former Scotland international has replaced Gary Rowett in the dugout after signing a three-year contract.

Martin has been out of work since being sacked by Rangers in October, having previously guided Southampton to the Premier League.

The appointment means Martin is the third manager the Foxes have had in the last 12 months after Marti Cifuentes and Gary Rowett.

He will begin work at Seagrave later this month before the start of the League One campaign.

Martin, in an interview with the City website, has explained how he plans to turn the Foxes’ fortunes around.

“I’m very happy to get it done and just really looking forward to getting started properly, meeting everyone, and then getting out on the grass and working with the players,” Martin said.

“I’ve had a bit of a break, so this one was always going to be about how I felt about it, the process and the people I’ve met, James [McCarron], Jon [Rudkin], the chairman. It’s been really fantastic and it’s just really exciting.

“I think it’s a chance to build something here with big energy and build some connections with what we’re going to try and do.

“The excitement, and the feeling I had about it all, was the biggest attraction, feeling that it’s going to be a really amazing experience.”

Martin added: “The energy that we have together, fans, players, staff, it’s going to take a huge amount of energy, a big team effort. It’s going to take everyone.

“I think that can be so powerful. If we can build that and build something that everyone really believes in and feels proud of, then we can have a really exciting season.

“My job is to bring that energy myself, to convince the players to bring that energy and the staff around everyone else.