Ivan Juric Takes Charge As Southampton's New Head Coach On 18-Month Contract

Add as a preferred source on Google

Ivan Juric has been appointed as the new head coach of Southampton. The former Roma manager has agreed to an 18-month contract at St Mary's, succeeding Russell Martin. Martin was dismissed after Southampton's heavy 5-0 loss to Tottenham last weekend. Currently, Southampton sits at the bottom of the Premier League table with only five points, trailing safety by nine points.

Southampton's performance this season has been dismal, with just one league victory. The team has conceded 36 goals and scored only 11, the lowest in the league. Their average points per game since promotion stand at a mere 0.31. In their announcement, Southampton expressed hope that Juric's appointment would bring the determination needed for survival.

Juric shared his thoughts on joining Southampton through the club's 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."

The Croatian becomes only the third from his country to manage in the Premier League, following Velimir Zajec and Slaven Bilic. Juric previously managed Genoa and Torino in Serie A before his brief stint with Roma earlier this season, which lasted just 12 games until Claudio Ranieri took over in November.

This week marks significant managerial changes in the Premier League, as Juric is not alone in taking up a new role. Wolves also appointed Vitor Pereira as their new manager, replacing Gary O'Neil. These changes reflect clubs' attempts to improve their standings as the season progresses.

Juric's task is daunting as he aims to lift Southampton from their current predicament. His experience in Serie A could prove vital as he seeks to instill grit and aggression into the squad. Fans will be eager to see how his strategies unfold on the pitch.