Their is a new candidate to replace Russell Martin after his sacking as Saints boss on Monday evening, reports from Italy are saying he has joined Danny Rohl and Kasper Hjulmand at the top of the list.

According to tuttomercatoweb.com in Italy the new name on the Southampton hotlist is Ivan Juric.

The 49 year old Croatian had a long playing career in his native country, Spain and Italy, before starting his coaching career at his last club Genoa, initially as an academy coach but within a year as a first team coach before taking on the same role at Crotone.

After that in 2014 he took on his first managerial role at Mantova in the non league pyramid in Italy.

In 2015 he took over at Ctatone and in his first season led them to promotion to Serie A, which earned him a move to Genoa for the 2016/17 season, he then had a rather chequered experience, in February 2017 he was sacked by Genoa, but then reinstated 7 weeks later after the sacking of his successor and he stayed until November 2017 when he was sacked again.

In October 2018 he was appointed Genoa manager for the 3rd time but lasted just 8 matches.

In July 2019 he joined Hellas Verona and spent two full seasons in charge before joining Torino in the summer of 2021.

He spent 3 seasons with Torino where they were solidly mid table and both he and the club parted amicably in the summer of 2024.

On 18th September 2024 he joined AC Roma but lasted just 12 matches before being sacked on 10th November.

The reports in Italy say that Juric is on the list of candidates, but I suspect that this is more agent talk than anything else, Saints will surely be looking for a coach with a decent track record and stability, Juric seems to have had neither.

All Photos Via Reuters

Bowlercow added 13:52 - Dec 17 He has a win rate of less than 40% at club level and that was in a league well below PL standard
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Centurion added 14:00 - Dec 17 no.
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PatfromPoole added 14:05 - Dec 17 I'm not sure a club owed by a Serb would employ a Croatian as its manager.
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SaintNick added 14:26 - Dec 17 This is of course all rumour and as mentioned in the article probably more the agent that anything else
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kingslandstand1 added 15:04 - Dec 17 99% Agent talk! Sacked just a month ago after 12 matches does not bode well and with no valid experience he would not be a very popular choice
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kenchilds70 added 15:36 - Dec 17 Will SR rush and just fill the vacancy, or think about the future for the club. Do you offer a short contract with an option on another year if things pan out. Do you go for someone with a decent history...tough job. Serves them right.
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JoeEgg added 17:22 - Dec 17 In need of a little light-hearted relief..... Have the Board considered Wayne Rooney? No honestly Sports Republic I was only joking - please tick him off your list!!
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sandywelsh added 13:31 - Dec 18 Ivan Juric would be no better than Martin. If they don't want to pay compensation there are plenty of ex premier league managers out of work!!
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