Southampton reportedly agreed to appoint former AS Roma manager Ivan Juric as a replacement for sacked boss Russell Martin.
The Premier League’s bottom side dismissed Martin after Saints’ 5-0 loss at home to Tottenham on Sunday.
With just one win and five points from 16 league games, Southampton are nine points from safety.
Having returned to the top flight last season via the Championship playoffs, any hope of survival is already slim.
No side in Premier League history has stayed up with so few points at this stage of the season.
But the board at St. Mary’s felt the team’s poor performances could not continue and decided to part ways with Russell Martin.
Many candidates have been named as possible replacements, including West Brom boss Carlos Corberan and former Southampton assistant coach Danny Rohl, who is now managing Sheffield Wednesday.
But on Friday morning, news broke of a reported deal with Ivan Juric.
🚨🔴⚪️ Southampton have agreed deal to appoint Ivan Jurić as new head coach to replace Russell Martin.
Contract set to be signed today.
Verbal agreement in place on contract terms; formally working on exit terms from AS Roma.
Ivan Jurić said yes to Saints FC, Röhl won’t join. pic.twitter.com/G9XyklZvyz
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 20, 2024
Southampton Agree Deal With Ivan Juric
Former Croatian international Juric retired from playing in 2010 while at Italian side Genoa.
He has since spent his entire managerial career in Italy, starting with Mantova in 2014.
Juric had three spells managing former club Genoa between 2016 and 2019. He then moved to Hellas Verona before spending three seasons with Torino.
In September 2024, he was appointed head coach of Serie A giants AS Roma following the departure of Daniele De Rossi.
Inheriting a side that picked up just three points from four games, Juric was unable to improve Roma’s fortunes, and left after just 12 games in charge.
The 49-year-old is known for what he calls ‘heavy metal football’. This involves a high-energy, hard-working style of play, with players expected to run and work hard in the press.
This will be somewhat of a gear-change for the Saints, who have been playing a patient, possession game under Russell Martin.
According to reports, Juric is set to sign an eighteen-month contract with the South Coast club.
Although no official announcement has been made, it is thought Juric may be in place for Southampton’s trip to Fulham on Sunday.
