LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: New Southampton FC manager Ivan Juric pictured in the stands during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Southampton FC at Craven Cottage on December 22, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images)
Ivan Juric is Southampton's new manager but didn't take charge against Fulham
Southampton fans have mocked Jamie Carragher after he appeared to criticise their new boss, Ivan Juric, for 'choosing' not to manage the Saints against Fulham on Sunday.
Juric, 49, has replaced Russell Martin at St Mary's, with the south-coast club rock bottom of the Premier League. The experienced Croatian watched from the stands at Craven Cottage as Southampton earned a hard-fought 0-0 draw.
That was after Juric had been announced as the Saints' new manager on Saturday evening, signing an 18-month contract. Before kick-off, while punditry duty for Sky Sports, Liverpool legend Carragher said: "It's the one thing that always fascinates me when new managers are appointed and they don't get involved straight away.
"I just think if it was my team - I understand he hasn't trained with them or maybe picked the team - but I just think if I was in that situation, I'd be picking the team and saying, 'Okay, I'm speaking to them before the game, what I'm looking for'.
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"Go in and give a message at half-time. What are you waiting for? The quicker this starts getting going and this guy, they believe, can give them a fighting chance of maybe staying in the league or make them more competitive, I'd be straight in there."
After Carragher's comments were shared on Sky's social media channels, Southampton supporters were quick to tell the ex-England defender exactly why Juric was unable to officially start work. The former Roma manager was actually still waiting on his work permit which eventually came through on Monday.
One fan posted in the replies section of Sky's post: "His work permit hasn't been approved, so bit of a silly thing for him to say." Another said: "Probably didn't want to break the law Jamie." A third added: "What's he waiting for? Probably the legal right to be able to work within the country." A fourth sympathised: "Come on Jamie I really like you but do your research. WORK PERMIT."
Will Ivan Juric keep Southampton in the Premier League? Give us your prediction in the comments section.
Ivan Juric's Southampton are rock bottom of the Premier League
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Image:
Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images)
The same Southampton fan then joked: "Only a small minor detail, outrageous from Juric #JuricOut."
Juric spoke to the media on Monday ahead of Southampton's Boxing Day clash with West Ham, and he insists that his new side can do 'something exceptional' by pulling off a great escape. "I am optimistic. I'm really optimistic," the former Croatia midfielder declared.
"Even the other day, I saw their mentality, and it's the first step to doing better. I think we can do something exceptional. The guys have to be very motivated to do something that never, nobody did. They don't know me but I know them. I said that I believe in them, they have quality, they can do it. Be positive, work hard, and everything is possible."
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