Premier League bottom-dwellers Southampton appointed Ivan Juric as their new manager on Saturday, handing the 49-year-old an 18-month contract.
Juric, formerly of Roma and Torino, replaces Russell Martin, who was dismissed after a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Tottenham at St Mary’s last weekend. Southampton currently sit at the foot of the Premier League table, nine points adrift of safety ahead of their Sunday clash at Fulham.
The club praised Juric for his ability to “help teams punch above their weight” and bring out the best in underperforming squads.
“I’m very pleased,” Juric said. “I think it’s a really big challenge, but I’m optimistic because I see a team with potential to improve. It’s crucial to connect with the fans right away. I want to see an aggressive team, and I believe Southampton’s fans will appreciate that.”
