Southampton Part Ways with Manager Ivan Juric After Premier League Relegation

Southampton FC have announced on Monday that they parted ways with manager Ivan Juric following the club’s relegation from the Premier League. The decision comes after a disheartening 3-1 loss to Tottenham on Sunday, which sealed the club’s drop to the Championship.

Juric’s tenure at the helm was marred by poor results, with his side suffering 25 losses in 31 league matches during an extremely challenging season. This early relegation, confirmed with seven matches still to play, set a new unwanted Premier League record, surpassing the previous record set by Derby and Huddersfield, who were relegated with six games remaining in 2008 and 2019, respectively.

Appointed in December to replace Russell Martin, Juric, 49, inherited a squad in deep trouble. However, he managed to secure only one win, a 1-0 victory against Ipswich in February, as the club’s hopes of survival faded. Southampton have now lost seven of their last eight matches in the top flight.

Simon Rusk, currently on the coaching staff, will step in as interim manager for the remainder of the season, with former player Adam Lallana assisting him. The club issued a statement acknowledging Juric’s efforts, despite the results, and expressed gratitude for his hard work during a difficult period.

“We can confirm that we have reached an agreement with Ivan Juric to end his time at Southampton,” the statement read. “Ivan came to us at a challenging moment and worked tirelessly to improve a squad in difficult circumstances. Unfortunately, the progress we had hoped for didn’t materialize, but we thank Ivan and his team for their dedication.”

The club also reflected on the fans’ unwavering support throughout the season, despite the disappointing outcome. “With relegation now confirmed, it’s crucial that we provide clarity as we prepare for a vital summer,” they added. “We are deeply thankful for the continued support from our fans, and we remain committed to restoring pride to the club in the Championship.”

Looking ahead, speculation surrounds the potential successor to Juric, with Sheffield Wednesday’s Danny Rohl, a former assistant at Southampton, among the candidates. German coach Rohl was reportedly a target for the role before Juric’s appointment. Other names linked with the vacancy include former Hull manager Liam Rosenior, who has impressed in his first season with French Ligue 1 side Strasbourg.

Southampton’s next fixture will be at home to high-flying Aston Villa on Saturday.