December 23 – Premier League Southampton have confirmed Croatian Ivan Jurić as their first staff supervisor.
Jurić watched from the stands on the weekend as Saints secured a 0-0 draw away to Fulham, solely their sixth level of a depressing season that sees them backside of the desk and eight factors away from security with 17 video games performed. It’s the third worst begin to a Premier League season by any staff.
Jurić takes over from Russell Martin who refused to undertake his taking part in philosophy for the holy grail of Premier League survival, one thing that the membership had change into masters at in earlier years earlier than takeover by new house owners two seasons in the past. Saints had been relegated from the Premier League within the first season of recent possession, promoted again of their second however now maintain a really lonely final place.
“I need us to be extra aggressive, to do far more urgent and we’ve got to be fast to vary mentality as a result of that is my thought of soccer,” mentioned Juric on his appointment.
Finally Juric has nothing to lose because the membership are thus far behind the remainder of the league survival seems an inconceivable process – not least as a result of they’ve solely managed 11 targets in league play.
“Regardless of the membership’s present place within the Premier League, we stay centered on preventing for survival this season and imagine this appointment will present us with the grit and dedication wanted to enhance outcomes on the pitch,” mentioned a membership press launch.
Juric has been given an 18-month contract that can see him by way of to the tip of the 2025-26 season which Saints look more likely to be taking part in within the Championship.
The 49-year-old’s administration profession has primarily been in Italy the place he managed Mantova, Crotone, Genoa, Hellas Verona and Torino.
His earlier job was with Roma which lasted simply 12 matches earlier than he was fired after the membership slumped to twentieth in Serie A.
Saints spent £103 million within the final switch window. They’re unlikely to be spending in January except Juric can engineer a direct turnaround in fortune over the enterprise Christmas match schedule.
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