Southampton boss Russell Martin insists Jason Wilcox was ‘brave to hire him’ as he claims his appointment ‘wasn’t sexy’… as he thanks his players after bringing back the Saints in the Premier League.

Southampton boss Russell Martin has admitted he was overcome with emotions after returning Southampton to the Premier League.

“It’s probably the best feeling I’ve ever had. I am truly grateful. I felt that all week, filled with immense pride and gratitude for what the players gave us,” Martin said.

“As a group of players, they have been incredible in what they have done and how they have grown together, in terms of spirit. I thought it would be the most difficult period after the way the group had been fractured and hopefully we can keep as many of them together as possible.

“I’m going to end up alone in bed crying and feeling nothing but love for the players,” Martin insisted.

The 38-year-old thanked Jason Wilcox – who left Southampton to become Manchester United’s technical director last month – for trusting him. Wilcox joined Southampton as director of football last summer after the club’s relegation to the Championship and hired Martin.

Russell Martin paid tribute to his players and management at Southampton after his side secured victory against Leeds in the play-off final on Sunday.

Southampton were promoted to the Premier League after sealing a 1-0 win at Wembley

Martin thanked former Southampton technical director Jason Wilcox (pictured) for hiring him and admitted he felt the manager was “brave” to hire him.

“Jason had a great day on Saturday (with Man Utd). My appointment was not a sexy appointment. They had the courage to give me this opportunity and I hope I rewarded them with a day they will remember forever “It definitely gave me one of the best days of my career,” Martin added.

Nine years ago he led Norwich to success in the Championship play-off final at Wembley and the Saints boss insisted this victory was different, stressing it was vindication for himself.

“To do that as a player was incredible. It’s different as a manager because my family feels the weight of it even more. My job is on the line because of the precarious nature of it all,” he said. “I’ve gone up against some incredible coaches this season with the quality of the championship and the fact that Kieran (McKenna) and Enzo (Maresca ) are linked to all jobs in the country shows this.”

No team in England had a greater share of possession than Southampton’s average of 66.1 percent and Martin insisted he would look to implement a similar style in the top flight.

“Possession doesn’t win games, but it’s a way of trying to take the randomness out of the game, but it’s also the best opportunity you have to show the best version of yourself. For me, it’s the best way to win, it’s what we believe in and we finally won something by achieving it. It will be validation for some people I’m sure we won’t be able to prove that in Premier. League, so it’s up to us to prove ourselves right,” Martin said.

Martin added that he felt he “wasn’t the sexiest appointment” but said he was grateful to the club and its players.

Adam Armstrong’s (pictured) decisive first-half goal ended Southampton’s year-long hiatus from the Premier League.

Daniel Farke admitted his side were ‘suffering a lot’ after defeat but would ‘come back stronger’

Leeds boss Daniel Farke admitted it couldn’t feel worse after his side suffered a record fourth play-off final defeat.

“It couldn’t be worse, we are suffering a lot,” Farke said. We feel the pain today and we are deeply disappointed that we were not able to send our supporters home with something to cheer about and that we are not back in the promised land.

“We will take this as extra motivation to come back stronger. It will be difficult to come back stronger than 90 points, but being able to qualify as a Premier League team is something we want.