Russell Martin has an extra incentive to beat Leeds United in the play-off final on Sunday, as if it was needed ahead of such a big game.
The Southampton manager has twice got the better of Leeds already this season, with the Saints winning 3-1 at home in September before a 2-1 triumph at Elland Road just three weeks ago.
Now, Martin and his coaching staff will be busy devising a plan to record a hat-trick of wins over the Yorkshire side to secure a return to the Premier League.
Whilst that in itself is motivation enough, Martin’s history with Leeds manager Daniel Farke could give the 38-year-old another reason to outfox his opponent.
Russell Martin and Daniel Farke have history
Martin enjoyed a decent playing career, representing Scotland internationally as well as playing in the Premier League with Norwich City.
In fact, Martin was captain of the Canaries when Farke took over as manager in May 2017.
Despite the fact that the then-31-year-old defender was club captain and signed a new contract just a month into Farke’s time in charge, things soon turned sour as the German manager decided Martin was surplus to requirements.
Farke froze Martin out completely, banishing him to the train with the under-23’s before sanctioning a loan move to Rangers in the following January.
Martin wouldn’t play for Norwich again following that loan move, leaving under a cloud after 309 appearances for the club according to Transfermarkt.
Martin could get ultimate revenge at Wembley
Farke’s arrival at Norwich signalled the beginning of the end of Martin’s playing career, with the Saints boss having hoped to wind down his playing days prior to moving into a coaching role at the club.
Instead, he endured a difficult spell on loan in Scotland before seeing out his playing career at Walsall and MK Dons.
A meeting at Wembley against the man who Martin must find it difficult not to hold a grudge over represents the perfect opportunity to get one over on Farke.
It has been a play-off campaign full of narratives for Farke, whose Leeds side faced Norwich in the semi-final too.
Southampton fans won’t mid learning that their manager has even greater motivation to ensure it is Southampton who take up the third spot in the Premier League next season.