Southampton are reportedly planning to sack boss Ivan Juric at the end of the season, just two months after he took over from Russell Martin, after the Croatian has presided over three points from his 10 Premier League games in charge. The Saints are stuck on just nine points, two below the lowest-ever total in the division. Juric is now set to pay the price for failing to turn around club fortunes, with a successor already seemingly identified. However, there may be complications over the timing of the change.
According to The Sun, chairman Dragan Solak has already targeted his replacement. Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl is reportedly being lined up, having previously been at St Mary's under ex-manager Ralph Hassenhuttl.
The Owls could claim compensation of around £4million for an approach from the top-flight club. However, if Southampton wait until they are relegated to make a move, that fee will be significantly less.
Rohl, 35, also worked with Southampton's new technical director, Johannes Spors, at German club RB Leipzig. He took over at Hillsborough in October 2023 with the club deep in relegation trouble, and duly led them to survival on the final day.
They are safely placed in 13th this time around, seven points off the play-offs and 14 clear of relegation. Rohl has also impressed English fans as a pundit, working for ITV during Euro 2024.
Juric was essentially tasked with 'mission impossible' to keep Southampton up, but the toothless manner of the defeats has left fans irate. The last two games have yielded 4-0 losses to Brighton and Chelsea, leaving them 13 points adrift of safety.
They have also already conceded 65 goals in their 27 Premier League games. And it won't get any easier for the 49-year-old, with their next game on Saturday a trip to Anfield to face runaway leaders Liverpool.
