According to Fabrizio Romano, Ivan Jurić has agreed a deal to join Southampton as their Russell Martin replacement. The deal will be complete today.
Well, it's taken the Saints just under a week, but Southampton have reportedly found their Russell Martin replacement. The former Saints boss was shown the exit door after they fumbled 5-0 to Tottenham at home last weekend.
Understandably, there have been many names thrown around. It was thought that Danny Rohl was the favourite contender to return to Southampton, in a promoted role which would see him replace Russell Martin.
Then, there was Carlos Corberan who creeped up the estimations, with Spanish reports even indicating an offer was presented to him.
However, Fabrizio Romano has rubbished these rumours and presented a new option...
Southampton appoint Ivan Jurić to replace Russell Martin
According to Fabrizio Romano on X (formerly Twitter), Southampton have agreed a deal to appoint Roma manager Ivan Jurić as their Russell Martin replacement. Romano believes the contract will be signed today, meaning all other options can be disregarded.
Ivan Jurić has reportedly said yes to taking on the Saints opening. Now, it is just a case of working out the conditions of his exit from Roma.
In his own words, Romano said: "Southampton have agreed deal to appoint Ivan Jurić as new head coach to replace Russell Martin. Contract set to be signed today. Verbal agreement in place on contract terms; formally working on exit terms from AS Roma. Ivan Jurić said yes to Saints FC, Röhl won’t join."
Well, it's safe to say that we did not see this coming. Jurić was not considered among the top three options to replace Russell Martin, let alone the top one.
However, the Croatian coach does bring with him a good catalogue of clubs managed. He has spent his entire managerial career, which stretches out at a decade, in Italy. Southampton will be the first non-Italian club he has ever managed.
Therefore, it is certainly a gamble for Southampton to appoint Jurić. However, the Southampton owners must see something in his tactical philosophy, so fans will get behind him at St Marys Stadium.
Let's see if the contract is signed. As it stands, Simon Rusk is set to be on the touchline for the Fulham match this weekend.
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