Southampton have confirmed the appointment of former Roma head coach Ivan Juric as their new manager following the departure of Russell Martin.
The 49-year-old has signed an 18-month contract with the Saints, who are currently bottom of the Premier League table, picking up just five points from their opening 16 matches of the 2024-25 campaign.
Southampton have won one, drawn two and lost 13 of their 16 league fixtures this term, scoring 11 and conceding 36, and they are already nine points behind 17th-placed Leicester City in the battle to remain in the division.
Martin was sacked following last weekend's 5-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, but the Saints have been in action since then, going down 2-1 at home to Liverpool in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup.
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Juric signs 18-month contract to become new Southampton boss
"Southampton Football Club is delighted to confirm Ivan Juric as its new Men's First Team Manager, subject to final work permit approval," read a statement from the Saints on Saturday.
"Despite the club's current position in the Premier League, we remain focused on fighting for survival this season and believe this appointment will provide us with the grit and determination needed to improve results on the pitch.
"Juric, a former Croatia international as a player, arrives at Saints on an 18-month contract with a reputation for helping his teams punch above their weight.
"The 49-year-old's coaching career to date has been spent in Italy, most recently with European giants Roma, but with notable success across spells in charge of Mantova, Crotone, Genoa, Hellas Verona and Torino."
Juric told the club's official website: "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. 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."
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Will Juric be in charge against Fulham?
Southampton will be aiming to halt a four-game losing run when they head to Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, but Juric will not be in the dug-out for that contest.
Instead, the former Croatia international is set to lead the team for the first time against West Ham United at St Mary's on Boxing Day, with his first away game then coming against Crystal Palace on December 29.
Juric has managed Genoa on three separate occasions, while he has most recently been in charge of Hellas Verona, Torino and Roma, lasting just 12 matches with the former, having been appointed in September and then sacked in November.
Matt Law
