Former Southampton Manager to Land Major Serie A Job in Shock Move | OneFootball

Ivan Juric’s Surprise Return: From Southampton Struggles to Atalanta Ambitions

In a surprising twist reported by Sky Sports, Ivan Juric is set for a rapid return to top-level management with Atalanta, despite enduring a torrid spell at Southampton. The Croatian’s appointment, which comes less than two months after his dismissal from the Premier League side, raises eyebrows but also presents a fascinating narrative of football’s cyclical nature and resilience.

Juric has reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with the Bergamo-based club, who are preparing for life after Gian Piero Gasperini. The veteran manager, who brought Europa League success to Atalanta in the 2023/24 campaign, is now expected to take over at Roma. Juric will inherit not only a high-achieving squad but also a passionate fanbase accustomed to Gasperini’s high-octane football.

“He’s the man they’ve chosen”

Despite his struggles in England, Atalanta’s choice of Juric over other candidates such as Thiago Motta suggests a belief in his tactical acumen and Serie A experience. “Juric left the Premier League club after less than five months in charge when their relegation was confirmed in April,” the Sky Sports report explains, highlighting the challenges he faced in a difficult Southampton tenure.

Photo: IMAGO

It is no secret that Juric’s time at St Mary’s was brief and brutal. He “lost 12 of his 14 league matches,” a statistic that would ordinarily tarnish a manager’s reputation. However, context matters. Juric inherited a sinking ship mid-season and was unable to halt the slide. Now, Atalanta are banking on his experience in Italian football — including successful spells with Torino and Hellas Verona — to restore continuity and tactical steel post-Gasperini.

Opportunity Outweighs Risk

At first glance, Juric’s appointment appears risky. His short-lived time at Southampton and a prior sacking after only 12 matches at Roma seem to suggest instability. “Juric spent just 12 matches in charge of Roma at the start of last season before being sacked in November,” the report notes.

However, those familiar with his work in Italy will remember a coach known for structure, pressing and gritty overachievement. At Torino, he guided the club to consistent mid-table security, punching above financial weight. At Verona, he built one of Serie A’s most compact and hard-to-beat sides. With the right squad and backing, Juric has proven he can create disciplined and energetic teams.

There is also the question of style. While Gasperini was synonymous with free-flowing attacking football, Juric brings a more pragmatic flavour. That might be a strategic shift, especially with Atalanta returning to Champions League football. Balancing domestic ambition with European demands will be the real test of Juric’s maturity and adaptability as a coach.

Redemption Story in the Making?

There is something compelling about Juric’s football journey. Dismissed in England, unwanted by Roma, and overlooked by Juventus in favour of other names — yet now tasked with leading one of Italy’s most overachieving clubs into a new era. That he was “preferred to Thiago Motta, who was sacked as Juventus boss in March after nine months in charge,” further underlines how quickly fortunes can turn in the modern game.

Juric may not have succeeded in Southampton, but Italy is his footballing home. At Atalanta, he finds a club not just steeped in ambition, but hungry for a new chapter. Whether he writes a story of redemption or repeats past missteps is uncertain, but what is clear is that this appointment will be one of Serie A’s most closely watched subplots heading into next season.

In football, timing is everything. Atalanta believe Juric’s time is now.