Scottish boss to be only Scot in England’s top leagues after end of historic run

FORMER Scotland star Russell Martin’s sacking by Southampton brought a brutal end to a 132-year long record.

But a unique Scots run in English football looks set to be kick-started all over again after just EIGHT DAYS.

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Ex-Rangers and Scotland defender Martin, 38, was axed following Southampton’s 5-0 thrashing by Tottenham a week past Sunday.

With him went a long standing and unique piece of history.

For EVERY season from 1892-83 onwards, there had been a Scottish manager in the top two divisions of English football.

That incredible 132-year run was brought to a shuddering halt when Martin was dismissed.

His departure left both the Premier League and English Championship without a single Scottish boss across the 44 clubs.

From the world’s first paid manager George Ramsay, through the likes of Bill Shankly, Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson, the regular reign of Scottish footie bosses at the top of the English game was over.

But while that remarkable 132-year run can never be re-started, it looks like the wait for a Scottish boss to return to the top two divisions isn’t going to last long at all.

That’s because Alex Neil looks set for a return to the dugout in England.

According to SunSport columnist Alan Nixon on his Patreon, he’s set to become Millwall’s new manager.

The Lions parted company with Neil Harris earlier this month and Neil looks to be the man they’ve chosen to take over at The Den.

Neil, 43, has been out of work since being sacked by Stoke in December 2022.

His move to Stoke was controversial, having left Sunderland after just six months to take the role.

Neil had steered the Wearside giants back to the Championship after a four-year absence.

Neil, who spent ten years as a player at Hamilton Academical between 2005 and 2015, cut his teeth as a manager with the Accies.

For the last to years of his stint there, he was player-manager.

The job he did there saw him earned him a shock move to Norwich City in January 2015 aged just 33.

Neil quickly achieved success with the Canaries, leading them to the Premier League via the play-offs.

Although Norwich were relegated, Neil was kept on as boss but was dismissed during the following season with the club’s push for immediate promotion back faltering.

Neil became Preston manager in 2017 and spent almost four years in the job before departing in March 2021.

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