Juric Aims to Defy Odds and Keep Southampton in Premier League

Ivan Juric has taken charge of Southampton with the team bottom of the Premier League table, but he's confident they can achieve 'something exceptional'.

Ivan Juric has vowed to introduce a high-octane, intense style of football at Southampton, likening it to “death metal” music. The newly appointed manager is determined to inject energy and passion into the team's performances as he aims to steer the Premier League strugglers clear of the relegation zone.

Juric, a former Croatia midfielder, takes the reins at Southampton on an 18-month contract. His previous managerial stint was with Roma, where he had a brief but tumultuous tenure, overseeing just 12 matches before being dismissed in November. Now, Juric is focused on making a positive impact at Southampton and guiding the team to safety.

“When I was young I liked death metal music a lot, and that's something I think my style of football is like,” Juric told reporters on Monday.

“Work hard, press hard, play good, be intense, all this stuff. I think (the players) can do it. They are young, they are positive, they want to work hard. It's not easy to change the style immediately, but we have to be clever.”

Southampton's dismal season has seen them languish at the bottom of the Premier League table, with a meager six points from 17 matches. The team's struggles have been compounded by a seven-match winless streak in the league, leaving them a daunting eight points adrift of safety.

Despite the daunting task ahead, Ivan Juric remains optimistic about Southampton's chances of survival. “I know it will be a very tough job and I know that in the history nobody has stayed in the Premier League from this situation,” the 49-year-old manager acknowledged. However, Juric is convinced that his team can achieve “something exceptional” and defy the odds. Juric's first opportunity to inspire a turnaround will come on Thursday when Southampton host West Ham in his inaugural match as manager.