Russell Martin has been fortunate to win the play-offs as a player with Norwich City and now a manager with Southampton, but ranks the latter as the better achievement.

Martin's Saints beat Daniel Farke's Leeds 1-0 on Sunday to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking, with the victory propelling the City legend into the top-flight for the first time since he became a manager. 

Nine years ago to the weekend, Martin lifted the play-off-winning trophy in the yellow and green as Canaries captain after a commanding 2-0 victory over Middlesbrough—now he's repeated the feat as a manager with Southampton. 

Asked whether it was a similar feeling, Martin explained why this triumph felt more significant than that famous day in 2015 for City. 

"It's different. I don't want to do down the feeling that I had at Norwich because I was the captain, had been relegated and took that really personally the year before and was so hurt," Martin told the Sun. 

"So, to do it as a player was amazing but it feels really different as a manager. My family feel the weight of that so much more now than they did when I was a player because I guess they know that my job is at stake at any point. 

"That adds an extra weight, and the team going out onto the pitch with the vision that you want to be, with your instructions as a coaching staff, you feel that as well. 

"This is probably the best feeling I've ever had."

Martin has won plaudits and faced criticism over his possession heavy style of play throughout the campaign - and is refusing to compromise on his principles as he looks ahead to next season in the Premier League. 

"I love what I do, and we're not going to change. I'm sure it'll start, it probably already has, that we won't be able to play this way in the Premier League. It's up to us to prove ourselves right and embrace it without losing who we are. 

The Pink Un: Russell Martin won the play-offs as Norwich City captain back in 2015.Russell Martin won the play-offs as Norwich City captain back in 2015. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

"I've pitted my wits against some amazing coaches this season - the quality of the Championship has been incredible," Martin said.

"The fact that Leeds were here today with 90 points, and we finished fourth with 87 points, shows you how good the other two were. Kieran (McKenna) and Enzo (Maresca) are being linked with every job in the country right now. 

"To go up against the best in the world - managers, players and stadiums, it's going to be amazing so I need to stay in the job long enough to enjoy them all."