Southampton have parted ways with manager Ivan Juric after their record-early relegation from the Premier League was confirmed following Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to Tottenham. The Saints’ demotion with seven games remaining marks the earliest relegation in Premier League history, surpassing previous records held by Derby (2008) and Huddersfield (2019).
The Croatian manager, who replaced Russell Martin in December, managed just one league victory during his troubled tenure – a February win at Ipswich – while suffering 25 defeats in 31 top-flight matches. Southampton’s disastrous campaign has seen them lose seven of their last eight matches.
In a club statement released Monday, Southampton confirmed: “We have today reached an agreement with our men’s first-team manager, Ivan Juric, to end his spell at the club… We haven’t seen performances progress the way we had hoped.”
Former Brighton U23 coach Simon Rusk will take interim charge, assisted by ex-Saints midfielder Adam Lallana, as the club begins planning for their Championship return. Potential permanent successors include Sheffield Wednesday’s Danny Rohl – a former Southampton assistant – and ex-Hull manager Liam Rosenior, currently impressing at French club Strasbourg.
The Saints, who host Aston Villa this weekend, vowed to restore pride after what they described as “a very tough season”, acknowledging their supporters’ “remarkable” loyalty throughout the dismal campaign.
