‘I’m an optimist’ – Jurić hopes that his death metal approach will save Southampton

Newly appointed Southampton manager Ivan Juric says his side are capable of “something exceptional” as they look to avoid relegation from the Premier League this season.

Juric, a former Roma, Genoa and Torino player, has also likened his footballing style to death metal music as he looks to turn the fortunes around at St Mary’s this term.

The Croatian will lead his first game on Boxing Day, when Southampton host West Ham. The Saints are currently bottom of the table with six points, eight points from safety.

Meeting with the media 📸 pic.twitter.com/Q65aECoVJZ

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) December 23, 2024

After the dismissal of Russell Martin, Jurić signed an 18-month contract with Southampton. However, his task, at least on paper, seems quite steep.

In Premier League history, only four teams have survived from the same position on 25 December: West Brom in 2004-05, Sunderland in 2013-14, Leicester in 2014-15 and Wolves in 2022-23.

It will be a very difficult job, said Jurić.

“I know that in history no one has stayed in the Premiership with a situation like this, but I think there are a lot of good players, and we have to (be) much better in some moments of the game.

“I am optimistic. I’m really optimistic. I even saw their mentality the other day and that’s the first step to getting better. I think we can do something extraordinary. Guys have to be very motivated to do something that no one has ever done.”

🆕 Yours #SaintsFC news from the team for Ivan Jurić’s first game at the helm:

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) December 23, 2024

Jurić added that the job in Southampton, as challenging as it is, is an attractive prospect and explained how a very specific musical genre helps in his tactical approach.

He said: “It was a bit of a dream, an opportunity for Southampton.

“I thought that life is short, I want to try new things and I want to switch to another way of working, put myself in a difficult situation and that’s it.

“They (players) 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 anything is possible.

“When I was young I really liked death metal music and I think that is something that is my style of football.

“Work hard, press, play well, be intense, all those things. I think (the players) can do it.

“They are young, positive, they want to work hard. It is not easy to change the style immediately, but we have to be smart.”