by New Southampton boss Ivan Juric insists bottom Premier League side can do ‘something exceptional’ in their relegation fight as he prepares to implement his style of death metal game.
The Croatian was in the stands for Sunday’s goalless draw with Fulham while awaiting a work permit, and will take charge for the first time when the Saints host West Ham on Boxing Day.
Juric revealed that his new employers initially contacted him two years ago when he was in charge of Torino, and while he remained at the Serie A side, the Southampton project always remained a “dream “.
The 49-year-old said: “It will be a very difficult job and I know in history no one has stayed in the Premiership in this situation, but like I said, I think there is a lot of good players, and we have much better at certain moments of the game.
Welcome to Southampton, Ivan Jurić 😇
– Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) December 21, 2024
“I am optimistic. I’m really optimistic. Even the other day I saw their mentality, and this is the first step to doing better.
“I think we can do something exceptional. The guys have to be very motivated to do something that no one has ever done.
“They don’t know me but I know them. I said that I believe in them, that they have quality, that they can do it. Be positive, work hard and anything is possible.
Juric has signed an 18-month contract at St Mary’s and succeeds the sacked Russell Martin, who has often been questioned for his decision not to deviate from the style of football which saw Southampton win promotion to the Premier League in May.
When asked about his preference for death metal music, Juric replied: “When I was young, I really liked death metal music, and it’s something that I think my style of football is like metal music.
“Now, a little less, I’m a little soft now, but it’s still in my head, good metal music.”
On a more tactical level, Juric said his style is “work hard, press hard, play well, be intense, all that.”
“I think (the players) can do it. They are young, they are positive, they want to work hard. It’s not easy to change your style immediately, but we have to be smart, not abandon what they did in the past, but try to add other things, of course.
First press conference of Ivan Jurić 🎙️
Watch now, exclusively in our app, the new manager of the men’s first team speaks to the media 📲
– Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) December 23, 2024
Southampton, with six points, are eight points from safety after Sunday’s stalemate.
The former Croatian midfielder began his coaching career at Mantua before moving to Crotone, Genoa and Hellas Verona.
He led Torino to three mid-table places in Serie A, building a reputation for leading defensively strong teams, before leaving them at the end of last season.
Juric replaced Daniele De Rossi as Roma manager in mid-September, but stayed less than two months in the Italian capital after securing just four wins in 12 games.
Although some managers might be intimidated by the prospect of inheriting a team in relegation trouble, Juric remains unfazed.
He added: “It was a bit of a dream, the Southampton opportunity, and I thought life is short, I want to try new things and I want to travel to a different way of working, put myself in a situation difficult. , and that’s it.
