Southampton boss slams Leeds United boss claim as Norwich City winger has Bundesliga interest

Southampton manager Russell Martin has insisted he has no problem with Leeds United counterpart Daniel Farke as the two sides prepare to meet in the Championship play-off final on Sunday.

The Saints boss was part of the Norwich City squad Farke inherited when he took charge at Carrow Road in 2017 - but was quickly moved out on loan to Scottish giants Rangers after falling out of favour and suffering hip and back injuries during the early months of Farke’s reign.  After being released by Farke at the end of his first season, Martin moved on to Walsall and MK Dons before moving into management with the latter in 2019.

With the duo now set to go head-to-head under the Wembley arch for an immediate return to the Premier League club, there has been speculation over the issues caused during their time together at Norwich - but Martin has insisted he doesn’t hold any resentment towards the Whites boss.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s game, the Saints boss said: “We never had a personal problem. I think people really wanted us to – and they still want us to now because it is a nice story.  But he was a young manager at the time, I was an old player at the time, with very much my hip and back giving up on me, and he was honest with me and I think that is all you can ever ask for.

“I really didn’t like his decision at the time. I can’t sit here and pretend that is the case.  When someone is honest with you, you have to respect that – whether you like what has been said or not. I went and trained with Gilly (Matt Gill, Southampton assistant manager) in the Under-23s.  Maybe that was meant to be because now Matt is my assistant manager and I love him, he's brilliant.  Who knows if that was meant to be the right thing or not. So I don't hold any personal bitterness or resentment towards Daniel."

Canaries winger has interest from Bundesliga trio

Norwich City outcast Christos Tzolis is the subject of interest from three Bundesliga clubs after impressing during a loan spell in German football’s second tier.

After struggling to make an impact at Carrow Road following a £7m move from PAOK Salonika during the summer of 2021, the Greek international joined Bundesliga II club Fortuna Dusseldorf on a season-long loan in August last year.  After plundering his way to 24 goals and ten assists in all competitions during the campaign, Tzolis has played a lead role in helping Fortuna keep alive their hopes of returning to the top flight this season.

Daniel Thioune’s side took a big step closer to achieving that goal in midweek when they claimed a 3-0 win at Bochum in the first leg of their promotion play-off and Tzolis played an integral role by playing a part in all three goals.  With the second leg taking place on Monday night, Thioune has admitted he will struggle to hold on to the winger amid reported interest from Werder Bremen, Borussia Monchengladbach and Union Berlin.

He told Sky Germany: "To hold Christos? This is difficult on the pitch and that is also difficult for us off it. At one time, he went to England with a certain transfer volume. I would be happy if it works out.  The boy is outstanding. He earned more than the second league.  I would also put a euro on it so that we can keep him.”