(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)
(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)
Next Manager

Southampton fans are thrilled as new manager replaces sacked Ivan Juric

Jonathan Burnett
Jonathan Burnett

Jonny is a University of Leeds journalism graduate who became part of the FootballInsider team in Spring 2024, and recently worked as Head of Media for Widnes Vikings Rugby League club. Writing as a freelance reporter and commentator for The Sporting News and StatsPerform, he has covered matches in competitions including the FIFA Men's and Women's World Cups, as well as the Champions League, Women's Euro 2022, Six Nations and the Rugby Union World Cup.

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Ivan Juric is set to leave Southampton following their relegation from the Premier League and few fans are set to miss him at St. Mary's.

Southampton finally ran out of road at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, losing 3-1 to an out-of-form Spurs side to suffer a 25th defeat from 31 league games this season, and have their fate sealed.

Saints are therefore demoted back to the Championship faster than any other team in Premier League history, making their remaining seven matches all dead-rubbers with relegation signed and sealed.

Since replacing Russell Martin after his own dismissal in mid-December, Juric has won a single game – against Ipswich in February – picking up just two more points with 12 defeats suffered in 15 matches.

Southampton
Russell Martin was sacked by Southampton after a dire start to the season (Credit: Imago)

Southampton set to announce Ivan Juric sack 'imminently'

With relegation confirmed no less than seven games before the end of the season and Juric failing to secure more points than his predecessor Martin, it's inarguable the Croatian has failed at Southampton.

Brought in on an 18-month contract at St. Mary's having only departed Roma in mid-November, Juric's Saints contract included a relegation release clause, which will be triggered after just 108 days in charge.

Southern Daily Echo journalist Alfie House posted on X (7 April), reporting that Juric is set to leave Saints "imminently", as Simon Rusk prepares to re-take interim charge for the second time this season.

Southampton fans slam 'our worst ever manager' Juric

After 108 days in charge, 17 games in all competitions and just two wins to show for it, Juric's spell in the St. Mary's dugout will be easily forgotten as they prepare for another season back in the second-tier.

Southampton fans had been happy to see the back of Martin after he managed just five points in their first 16 games, but Juric is now viewed as their "worst ever manager" after he replicated that tally.

Juric "should never have been appointed" in the eyes of some Saints fans, with several others calling his exit "lovely" and some jokingly questioning if a new manager "could turn it around and keep us up?"

Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton
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