Southampton Appoint Ivan Juric As New Manager.
Southampton have announced the appointment of Ivan Juric as their new manager on an 18-month contract, following the dismissal of Russell Martin last week. Martin was relieved of his duties after a crushing 5-0 defeat to Tottenham.
Juric, 49, takes on the challenge of revitalising a struggling Saints side, currently sitting at the bottom of the Premier League table, nine points adrift of safety. The Croat, most recently in charge at Roma, expressed optimism about his new role.
“I’m very pleased. I think it’s a really big challenge, but I’m very optimistic because I saw a team that can do better,” Juric said. “It’s important to immediately be connected with the fans. I want an aggressive team, and I think that fans of Southampton will like that.”
Known for his defensively disciplined sides, Juric’s managerial career began in 2014 with Mantova. He later managed Crotone, Genoa, and Hellas Verona before leading Torino to three mid-table finishes in Serie A. His most recent stint at Roma lasted just 12 matches before his dismissal in November.
Club insiders revealed Juric was considered for the Southampton role in late 2022 before Nathan Jones was ultimately appointed. His new contract includes a summer break clause, marking his first managerial role outside Italy.
Juric is unlikely to oversee Sunday’s fixture at Fulham, with his debut in the dugout expected on Boxing Day when Southampton host West Ham.
Saints supporters will hope that Juric’s aggressive style and focus on defensive organisation can bring much-needed stability and a fighting chance of survival in the Premier League.
