Manager Ivan Juric has left Southampton after their Premier League relegation was confirmed. The Croatian lasted just 108 days in charge, losing 12 out of his 14 top-flight games;
The Saints became the first team ever to be relegated from England’s top flight, after their 3-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, which confirmed their relegation even with seven games to go.
Simon Rusk will now lead the team until the end of the season. Rusk took charge briefly when Russell Martin, Juric’s predecessor left St Mary’s. Adam Lallana will also be involved in the new setup.
Recently appointed Saints technical director Johannes Spors will lead the search for Juric’s successor.
However, the club says it is not making an immediate appointment, and Juric’s departure has given Southampton the maximum amount of time to find the right candidate ahead of next season.
Spors wants to appoint a coach who has experience of managing in England that can play a high-intensity style of football.
The priority is to win promotion again, so Championship experience is desired. Former Huddersfield and Norwich manager David Wagner is among the names on a lengthy shortlist.
Southampton players were told about Juric’s departure on Monday with his backroom staff also leaving the club.
Juric’s time at the South Coast Club lasted just 108 days. He was appointed in the week before Christmas and was handed an 18-month contract, with a break clause which would be reviewed at the end of the season.
The Croatian coach, who was dismissed by Roma after a dismal six-week spell last November, won just one out of his 14 Premier League games in charge – a 2-1 win over Ipswich at the start of February.
He lost 12 out of those 14 matches, with the Saints averaging 2.7 Premier League goals conceded under him.
“Ivan came to Southampton at a tough time and was tasked with trying to improve a squad in a difficult situation,” said a statement from the club.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t seen performances progress the way we had hoped, but we would like to thank Ivan and his staff for their honesty and hard work as they fought against the odds to try and keep us up.
“With relegation to the Championship now confirmed, we believe it is important to give fans, players and staff some clarity on the future as we head into a very important summer.
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“The process of finding a new manager to lead us as we look to secure an immediate return to the Premier League has now begun and is being led by Group Technical Director Johannes Spors.
Saints player Adam Lallana will now help Simon Rusk in managing the team for the remaining seven fixtures of this season
“In the meantime, Simon Rusk has agreed to take charge of the team as Interim Manager for the remaining seven fixtures of this season and will be assisted by Adam Lallana.
“We remain incredibly grateful for the ongoing support of our fans. Their continued dedication and passion, despite what has been a very tough season, is remarkable and is appreciated by everyone at the club.
“Despite the challenges that relegation will bring, our goal is to restore a sense of pride for them in their team and club once again.”
‘After just 108 days in charge and two wins, the inevitable has happened’
“After 108 days and 16 matches in charge in all competitions and just two wins – and one of those was in the FA Cup – and 13 defeats, we have learned the inevitable that Ivan Juric and his staff have left Southampton with immediate effect.
“We understand Simon Rusk will come in until the end of the season, just as he did briefly when Russell Martin left his role, with Adam Lallana also involved in some way in this temporary setup to take Southampton through to the end of the season as they look to avoid Derby’s unwanted lowest Premier League points total record and one win will take them past that.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
