Swans set to reach settlement over Martin exit

Russell Martin left MK Dons to succeed Steve Cooper at Swansea City in the summer of 2021

Swansea City are close to reaching a settlement in their legal case against former boss Russell Martin.

Swansea confirmed in April 2024 they were suing Martin for breach of contract following his move to Southampton in June 2023.

They are now poised to reach a settlement which will also resolve the ongoing issue of how much compensation Swansea were due following Martin’s departure.

Martin signed a three-year deal when he was appointed Swansea head coach in 2021 but left after two seasons in charge.

The former Scotland defender took over at St Mary’s Stadium despite the fact that compensation had not been agreed between the Saints and Swansea.

Martin was understood to have agreed to take the Southampton job in May 2023, but his move was not confirmed until late the following month because of the compensation issues.

At the centre of the disagreement was whether Southampton, who were relegated in 2022-23, were still a Premier League club when they came in for Martin.

The timing was key because Martin's Swansea contract featured differing compensation clauses depending on whether a club looking to appoint him were in the top flight or not.

The legal action against Martin also related to some of the Swansea staff members who followed him to Southampton.

Martin secured his first promotion as a manager last season, leading Southampton back to the top flight at the first time of asking.

He is set to sign Swansea defender Nathan Wood – who he brought to Wales three years ago – this week, with a deal all but agreed between the clubs.