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Southampton have confirmed ex-Roma boss Ivan Juric as their new manager to replace Russell Martin. The 49-year-old has agreed to an 18-month deal, which includes a break clause at the end of the season. The south coast side face Fulham at Craven Cottage at 2pm on Sunday, and it remains to be seen whether he will be in the dugout for the match. Juric is yet to have his Visa permitted to allow him to work. Though talk SPORT understands that will be soon be ironed out, with the club hopeful he will manage against the Cottagers. Should his work permit not come through in time, then Under-21 boss Simon Rusk will take charge in west London. Free agent Juric was on the Saints' list to replace Ralph Hasenhuttl two years ago. He was second choice to eventual successor Nathan Jones. But he has finally linked up with Southampton, with Juric expressing his delight to the club's website. He said: “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. ” Croatian manager Juric had been out of work for just over a month. He boasts a style of play that has been described as 'heavy metal football', involving working his players hard in training and placing a big focus on running. Juric was sacked by Roma after just three months in charge after taking over from Daniele De Rossi. Juric left Roma 20th in the Europa League table and only four points ahead of the relegation zone in Serie A. He will have another relegation battle on his hands at St Mary's, with Southampton currently bottom of the table and nine points from safety. Former Sevilla and Hajduk Split midfielder Juric first went into management in 2014 at Italian outfit Mantova. Spells with Crotone, Genoa, Hellas Verona and Torino followed. He parted ways with Torino at the end of the 2023/24 season after three mid-table seasons with the Serie A side. Roma appointed him as their manager in September after De Rossi picked up just three points in their first four games of the campaign. However he failed to turn their fortunes around and was dismissed after 12 games in charge. He managed four wins, three draws and five losses in that time. Southampton sacked Martin after being thumped 5-0 by Tottenham at home last Sunday. The 38-year-old had guided the Saints to promotion via the play-offs from the Championship last season at the first time of asking following their relegation the year before. But any credit in the bank ran out when his side suffered their 13th league defeat in 16 games against Spurs. Southampton have scored just 11 goals this season in the league, conceding a whopping 36. Only Wolves have conceded more, letting in 40 so far. The Saints suffered a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup quarter finals on Wednesday in their first game without Martin. They travel to Fulham on Sunday in the Premier League as they look to claim their second league win of the season. Their only other victory in the league this campaign came in a 1-0 win over Everton at home at the start of November. © 2024 talk SPORT Limited

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