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By ABDI RASHID Published: 21: 49 AEDT, 20 December 2024 | Updated: 23: 08 AEDT, 20 December 2024 16 View comments Southampton are reportedly set to appoint a former Serie A boss as their new manager. The Saints are on the hunt for a new boss after Russell Martin was sacked last Sunday, with the club rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table. The South Coast club have so far claimed just one win from 16 matches on their return to the top flight and are nine points adrift of safety. According to The Athletic, Southampton have reached an agreement to appoint former Roma boss Ivan Juric as their new manager. The outlet claims that the 49-year-old is expected to fly out to the UK today (Friday) with a view to being on the touchline for Sunday's clash with Fulham. The Croatian has agreed a deal until 2026 with a two-year option to extend. Premier League strugglers Southampton are on the verge of appointing a new manager The Saints have reportedly reached an agreement to appoint former Roma boss Ivan Juric Russell Martin was sacked last week with Southampton rooted to the bottom of the table Juric was sacked from his role with Roma side last month after just three months in charge, having taken over from Daniel De Rossi in September. He left the side four points above the Serie A relegation zone and 20th in the Europa League table. It is said that Southampton view him as a strong character who makes teams difficult to beat though physical intensity and solid defensive structure. Juric previously spent three years with Torino and was a strong contender to become Southampton's manager two years ago. He was in the final two to replace Ralph Hasenhuttl but the Saints instead opted for Nathan Jones. Talks were held with Sheffield Wednesday head coach Danny Rohl but Southampton were unwilling to pay a large compensation to secure his services. The Championship side were unwilling to let Rohl leave on the cheap following their bright start to the season, with the club ninth in the table and just five points off the play-offs. Juric, if the deal goes through, will be Southampton's fourth manager in two years after Martin was sacked following the 5-0 thrashing by Tottenham. Under-21s manager Simon Rusk took interim charge of the side in their Carabao Cup loss to Liverpool. Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group