MK Dons manager Russell Martin has rejected the chance to take over at Swansea City, reports journalist Nick Mashiter. Despite the initial rejection, the Championship side are still keen on prying Martin away from the Dons, but the former Norwich City player is said to be unlikely to make the move.
Russell Martin Turns Down Swansea City Job
Frontrunner
In the aftermath of Steve Cooper’s departure from the club last week, former Chelsea and Derby County assistant coach Jody Morris was the frontrunner, with Martin a close second. However, earlier this week, the MK Dons boss moved ahead of Morris in the running and the Swans made their move.
Although Martin is not completely out of the frame, with Swansea still wanting to make him their new boss, they may now have to turn their attention back to Morris, who would not require any compensation as he is currently out of work.
Another potential option could be another former Chelsea man in John Terry. He left his role as assistant to Dean Smith at Aston Villa recently to pursue a career as a number one. Although there has been no clear link between Swansea and Terry, it’s another option that would not require compensation as Martin would.
The MK Dons Project
Martin has been widely tipped to go on and be a hugely successful manager since taking over at MK Dons in November 2019. He kept them up in League One after a horrendous start under Paul Tisdale and then, despite a slow start to last season, earned a 13th-place finish with an extraordinary second half of the campaign.
He has continued to rebuild the squad over the summer and news of his link with Swansea comes less than a week before the Dons kick off their season – nearly a week before most other teams – in the first round of the Carabao Cup at Bournemouth.
Moving to Swansea now would require Martin to do what he has done at MK Dons over this summer in less than two weeks before they start their season with a trip to Blackburn Rovers on August 7.
Though Swansea still haven’t given up hope, it looks increasingly likely that they will have to move on and identify a new target.
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