SAINTS manager Russell Martin admitted he might "end up in bed alone tonight and cry" after his side secured promotion to the Premier League.

The St Mary's outfit saw off Leeds United with a 1-0 win at Wembley thanks to Adam Armstrong's 24th goal of the season.

It was Southampton's third win over Leeds this season and meant they returned to the top flight at the first time of asking.

Speaking to the Daily Echo after the match, Martin said: "I just feel really grateful.

"I felt that all week really, I have just felt loads of gratitude about what the players have given us, the staff, the supporters. 

"I feel immense pride in what we've achieved, but I just feel grateful. The owners for giving me the opportunity in the first place.

"Jason Wilcox too, who had a good day at Wembley yesterday and is no longer here, but I feel like it wasn't a sexy appointment for Southampton.

"They were brave enough to give me the opportunity and hopefully we have repaid them with a day that they'll remember forever."

Martin continued: "It's given me one of the best days of my career for sure.

"I feel a lot of love for the people I've worked with all year. To watch them from the pitch to celebrate that together will live in me forever. 

"As a group of players and young men, they've been incredible at what they've done and how much they've grown together in terms of spirit and togetherness.

"I thought that would probably be the toughest bit at the start of the season when I saw how much the group had been fractured.

"I'll probably end up in bed alone tonight, crying my eyes out and feeling nothing but love for them because I do. It's such a fine balance.

"When I ask them to do the stuff they're doing on the pitch, it's not easy to show the courage they play with." 

The boss added: "I hope we can keep as many of that group together as we possibly can.

"I said to them after, this is football and it'll be the last time we're all together as a group because things change, people move on.

I'll never, ever take what they do for granted and the love I feel for them, but the balance of that and being really demanding and brutally honest with them.

"At times is difficult in the same way as with your kids. I feel sometimes probably the balance is too far one way and too far the other.

"I felt we found a sweet spot in the last few weeks and I think the players have been incredible."