Southampton confirm appointment of Ivan Juric on 18-month deal to replace Russell Martin – after Roma sacked the Croatian after less than two MONTHS earlier this season

Southampton have appointed Ivan Juric as their new manager on an 18-month contract. 

Juric, who has had a decade-long career managing in Italy, replaces Russell Martin and takes over with Saints rooted to the bottom of the Premier League. 

This is already his second job of the season as he was sacked by Roma after just 12 games in charge in November, having only joined in September. 

However, Roma are on their third manager of the season having also sacked Daniele De Rossi. It is a turbulent period for the club and new boss Claudio Ranieri has only overseen a modest upturn in results. 

Juric’s first assignment will be a trip to Fulham on Sunday, with Southampton already nine points adrift of safety.

The newly promoted side have picked up five points in 16 games, winning only once against Everton, although performances were often encouraging under Martin.  

‘I think it’s a really big challenge but I’m very optimistic because I saw a team that can do better,’ Juric told Southampton’s club website. 

‘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.

‘I want us to be more aggressive, to do much more pressing and we have to be quick to change mentality because this is my idea of football.’

More to follow.