LEICESTER boss Russell Martin got into a tense exchange with a fan following their latest woeful defeat – and told him the Foxes have been “s***” for two years.
Martin, 40, has endured a tough start to life as Foxes boss.
His side have just two wins from seven games in – and suffered a 4-0 defeat at home to Oxford last month.
However, during the international break they have played two matches in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy.
The first was a .
But on Tuesday, Leicester went down 2-1 at Stevenage.
And after the nightmare result, a disgruntled Leicester fan who had travelled more than 200 miles waited to confront as he left Broadhall Way.
The ex-Southampton and Rangers boss posed for a few selfies before taking his time to get into a frank but respectful conversation.
The fan’s video of their back-and-forth has been seen more than 2.7million times on social media – and it ended with Martin’s X-rated yet honest putdown of the state of .
The fan – who goes by @FilbertSt1884 on X – started: “Russell, I’ve come from Exeter to watch this, I go everywhere to watch this club.
“I want you to succeed, but don’t play the football the owners want you to play, play the football that we want you to play. We’re not giving you personal abuse…”
Martin laughed back: “Well, you are but…”
The fan replied: “But we gave (Enzo) Maresca it.”
Martin then turned to stats: “We’ve had 135 shots in five games. That’s attacking football.”
The fan disagreed but Martin insisted: “But it is, 135 shots in five games is attacking.”
The fan then moaned: “It’s too predictable. It takes too long to get to those chances.”
Martin stuck by his methods and continued: “I disagree. We’re going to disagree on this.”
The supporter then suggested Martin will join a long list of managers who have left Leicester in recent years and leave the club “going round in circles”.
But , even if it costs him his job.
The former Scotland defender added: “That’s fine, I live and die by the sword.
“You got promoted with Enzo [Maresca] by the way, you’ve been s*** since then.”
The fan replied that even a lot of Leicester fans were unhappy with Maresca’s style of play but Martin concluded: “You got promoted with 96 points. What do you want?
“Because you had Gary Rowett, you had Marti Cifuentes, Ruud van Nistelrooy.
“We’ve had more shots in five games than you’ve had in 10/15 last season, I don’t know what you want.
“We’ll win and when we win, we’ll be fine and you’ll enjoy it. I appreciate the support.”
The minute-long chat went viral on social media – with many users chipping in with their view and agreeing with Martin, who handled the situation well.
One said: “Martin dealt with that very well imo.”
Another wrote: “I don’t rate him as a manager at all but nothing wrong with being honest, Leicester have been s*** for years that’s why they’re in the third division.”
But a third added: “Don’t have an issue with this. Gave the fan time, didn’t raise his voice or become abusive to him.”
And a final user commented: “Fair play to him, stood his ground. The sneaky recording him was out of order.
“Martin made some valid points and handled it coolly. I have no interest in that club or manager but I hope he succeeds.”
