Relegated Southampton have parted ways with manager Ivan Juric after the Premier League side were relegated on Sunday in a 3-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Southampton Football Club have officially sacked manager Ivan Juric after the team’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed on Sunday following a 3-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. The decision comes in the wake of a historically poor season that saw the Saints drop to the Championship with the earliest confirmed relegation in Premier League history.
Juric, who took charge of Southampton in December 2024 following the departure of Russell Martin, failed to turn around the club’s fortunes. The Croatian tactician managed only 16 matches in all competitions, registering just two wins and collecting a dismal four points in 14 Premier League games. The Saints have picked up just 10 points from 31 matches this season.
The club’s official statement expressed gratitude to Juric and his staff but acknowledged that the performances under his leadership did not meet expectations. “Unfortunately, we haven’t seen performances progress the way we had hoped, but we would like to thank Ivan and his staff for their honesty and hard work as they fought against the odds to try and keep us up,” read the statement.
Southampton’s form this season has been abysmal, and the team is now on track to challenge Derby County’s unwanted record for the lowest-ever points total in Premier League history — 11 points, set in the 2007-08 season. With just seven games remaining, the Saints need at least two points to avoid matching or sinking below that record.
Juric’s reign will be remembered for the lack of consistency, goals, and confidence on the pitch. Despite taking over with the season at its halfway point, he was unable to steady a sinking ship. His brief tenure highlighted issues in both the defense and attack, with the Saints conceding goals regularly while failing to score enough to mount any meaningful resistance.
The timing of the sacking, coming just a day after relegation was mathematically confirmed, reflects the club’s desire to start preparing early for life in the Championship. Southampton will now be looking to rebuild both on and off the pitch as they eye an immediate return to the Premier League.
We have today reached an agreement with our Men’s First Team Manager, Ivan Jurić, to end his spell at the club.
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) April 7, 2025
Stepping into the managerial role on an interim basis is Simon Rusk, a former Brighton youth coach, who previously led the team in a goalless draw against Fulham earlier in the season. Assisting Rusk will be former Saints star Adam Lallana, who brings invaluable experience and a strong connection with the club’s supporters.
Rusk’s first assignment will be a tough one as Southampton welcome Aston Villa to St Mary’s this Saturday. While the Saints no longer have anything to play for in terms of survival, Rusk and Lallana will be keen to instill some pride and spark into a group of players that has looked disjointed and deflated for most of the campaign.
Looking ahead, Southampton’s hierarchy is moving quickly to identify the next permanent manager. Group Technical Director Johannes Spors has been tasked with leading the search. The club stated, “The process of finding a new manager to lead us as we look to secure an immediate return to the Premier League has now begun.”
The Saints will be hoping to emulate the likes of Burnley and Leicester City — clubs who responded swiftly to relegation by rebuilding and mounting successful promotion campaigns. However, the road ahead will not be easy. With key players likely to attract interest from top-flight clubs, Southampton may face a summer of significant transition.
Off the pitch, the fans have remained loyal through a difficult period, but frustration has grown as the club slipped further into crisis. The board will now be under pressure to make the right appointments and decisions to give supporters hope again.
As the end of the season approaches, all eyes will be on how Rusk manages the team in the final stretch and which direction Southampton take in their rebuild. The next few weeks will be crucial in setting the tone for the 2025/26 Championship campaign.
With a proud history and a passionate fanbase, Southampton will aim to bounce back stronger. But for now, the club finds itself facing a harsh reality — out of the Premier League, without a manager, and fighting to avoid further humiliation by breaking the all-time record for the lowest points tally in league history.
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