Southampton Boss Ivan Juric Desperate to Avoid Premier League's 'Worst Team' Tag

Southampton manager Ivan Juric is determined to avoid the Premier League's 'worst team' tag as the Saints face relegation to the Championship.

Southampton manager Ivan Juric has issued a rallying cry to his struggling players, urging them to prove they are not the worst team in Premier League history. The Saints are currently rock bottom of the table, with a meager nine points from 29 games, and are staring at an imminent return to the Championship.

Juric's team is in danger of collecting fewer points than Derby's total of 11 in the 2007/08 season, which would cement their place as one of the worst Premier League teams ever. However, the Croatian manager, who took over in December, is demanding total commitment from his players over the remaining nine games. “The team has to be competing and try to do our best. We have to be really motivated,” Juric emphasized.

Juric's primary goal is to avoid the ignominy of being labeled the worst team in Premier League history. He expressed his determination, saying, “I don't want it to be that we are the worst team in the history of Premier League. If we can be not the last on the table, we have to do our best, so in this moment, this is our goal.”

Ivan Juric's future as Southampton manager remains uncertain, despite being appointed on an 18-month deal in December. Juric is choosing to focus on the immediate challenges facing the team, rather than worrying about his own long-term prospects.

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Ivan Jurić previews our clash with Crystal Palace:

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When asked about his vision for the team, Juric emphasized the importance of having a clear idea and a strong plan in place. “I think if you want to create something, you have to have people with a strong idea, knowing what they want and start to build up something, start to create something,” he said. However, he also acknowledged the reality of working with the current squad. “Sometimes, though, you come to try to do it best with the players you have.”

Southampton's relegation woes are shared by fellow promoted teams Leicester and Ipswich, who are also likely to make an immediate return to the Championship. Barring a dramatic turnaround, all three teams will face the disappointment of relegation, highlighting the challenges of adapting to life in the Premier League.

Palace at our place ⏩ pic.twitter.com/aC594ptDxh

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