Swansea93
Alan Curtis
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2020
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Swansea City captain Matt Grimes says he was sorry to see Russell Martin depart, but is looking forward to a "fresh start" under the new head coach
Martin left for Southampton this summer after two seasons in south Wales, with former Barnsley boss Michael Duff the new man in charge.
Grimes said on multiple occasions that he thought Martin was the best manager in the Championship.
The 28-year-old midfielder was even rumoured to follow Martin to St Mary's.
"I think it's a natural thing to link someone who has played almost every game under that manager to that manager, it happens all the time," Grimes told BBC Sport Wales.
"I have just carried on with my work to make sure I came back to pre-season fit and firing.
Obviously we were upset to see him [Martin] go, we thought he was a brilliant coach, he was brilliant with the lads and brilliant around the place.
"It's no secret how much I loved working under him, but football changes and you have to get on with it.
"Everyone is entitled to having a crack at any job they want.
"Southampton are a massive club, just relegated from the Premier League, so the squad and the fire power that they will have will be right up there with the best in the league, so I can fully understand his reasoning for wanting that challenge."
Obviously it's been a time of transition for the club, but we have gradually improved throughout pre-season," he said.
"The result at Reading, and the way we played, I think that was the best we have been, which is what you want in the build-up to the start of the season."
Every manager has got different ways of doing things and different approaches, and we will be looking to execute the best versions of ourselves," added Grimes.
"At Swansea City we always attempt to dominate the ball and be a possession-based team, that's who we are and what we thrive to be, but with a few tweaks here and there with the new manager.
Martin left for Southampton this summer after two seasons in south Wales, with former Barnsley boss Michael Duff the new man in charge.
Grimes said on multiple occasions that he thought Martin was the best manager in the Championship.
The 28-year-old midfielder was even rumoured to follow Martin to St Mary's.
"I think it's a natural thing to link someone who has played almost every game under that manager to that manager, it happens all the time," Grimes told BBC Sport Wales.
"I have just carried on with my work to make sure I came back to pre-season fit and firing.
Obviously we were upset to see him [Martin] go, we thought he was a brilliant coach, he was brilliant with the lads and brilliant around the place.
"It's no secret how much I loved working under him, but football changes and you have to get on with it.
"Everyone is entitled to having a crack at any job they want.
"Southampton are a massive club, just relegated from the Premier League, so the squad and the fire power that they will have will be right up there with the best in the league, so I can fully understand his reasoning for wanting that challenge."
Obviously it's been a time of transition for the club, but we have gradually improved throughout pre-season," he said.
"The result at Reading, and the way we played, I think that was the best we have been, which is what you want in the build-up to the start of the season."
Every manager has got different ways of doing things and different approaches, and we will be looking to execute the best versions of ourselves," added Grimes.
"At Swansea City we always attempt to dominate the ball and be a possession-based team, that's who we are and what we thrive to be, but with a few tweaks here and there with the new manager.
I reckon that is the most transparent, grovelling, boot licking begging letter of its type that I’ve ever seen.
