Ivan Juric has been appointed as the new manager of Southampton, marking a significant shift for the club as they seek to turn around their fortunes in the Premier League. Juric takes over from Russell Martin, who was sacked following a dismal 5-0 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. This result left Southampton at the bottom of the Premier League table, raising concerns about their survival in the top flight. Martin had managed to secure the club’s promotion from the Championship last season, but the team’s recent performances have fallen short of expectations.
Juric’s journey to this point has been tumultuous. Only a month ago, he was dismissed by AS Roma after a brief tenure that lasted less than two months. His departure from the Serie A club came despite an initial sense of hope; however, he was unable to deliver the results anticipated, leaving the Giallorossi hovering just above the relegation zone. Given this backdrop, his appointment at Southampton comes with both challenges and opportunities. The deal he signed with the club is for 18 months and includes a break option that will be reviewed next summer. If Juric can guide Southampton to safety, there is a possibility that his contract could be extended by an additional two years.
The Croatian coach has long been on Southampton’s radar, previously being considered when the club was in search of a replacement for Ralph Hasenhuttl, who was relieved of his duties two years ago. In their quest for a successor, Southampton also evaluated other candidates, including West Brom manager Carlos Corberan, former Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand, and Danny Rohl of Sheffield Wednesday.
In the interim, Simon Rusk will continue to lead the team during their upcoming match against Fulham, giving Juric some time to observe and assess the squad from the sidelines. After signing his contract, Juric expressed his enthusiasm for the role, stating, “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.” He emphasized the importance of connecting with the fans right away, intending to foster an aggressive style of play that he believes will resonate well with Southampton supporters.
Juric’s coaching career began under Gian Piero Gasperini, a well-regarded figure in Italian football who has made a significant impact at Atalanta. Juric was part of Gasperini’s coaching staff at Inter Milan and Palermo before taking his first head coaching job with Mantova in the Serie C. His ascent continued when he took over at Crotone, achieving promotion to Serie A for the first time in the club’s history. However, he did not lead them into the top-flight season, as he was instead appointed at Genoa, where he had three separate stints within two years, exhibiting a rollercoaster of highs and lows.
A notable period of stability came when he joined Hellas Verona in 2019. With limited resources, he managed to keep the club in Serie A for two consecutive seasons, earning respect for his tactical acumen. This was followed by a move to Torino, where he spent three seasons in Serie A before a challenging stint at Roma this season. Despite the setbacks, Juric’s experience in Italian football has equipped him with the knowledge needed to tackle the challenges ahead at Southampton. Now he faces the crucial task of uplifting a side in need of revival, with fans anxiously hoping that he can revive their fortunes in the Premier League.
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