Southampton have unveiled former Roma manager Ivan Juric as their new manager to update Russell Martin.
The 49 -year -old accepted an 18 -month contract, which includes a termination clause at the end of the season.
South Coast take on Fulham at Craven Cottage at 2pm. Sunday, and it remains to be noted if he will be in the dugout for the game.
Joric still has no legal visa that allows him to work.
Though talkSPORT understands that will be soon be ironed out, with the club hopeful he will manage against the Cottagers.
If his task failed to arrive on time, Under-21 boss Simon Rusk will take matters into his own hands in west London.
Free agent Juric was on the Saints’ list to replace Ralph Hasenhuttl two years ago.
He was the pick of the moment for eventual successor Nathan Jones.
But despite everything he related to Southampton, and Juric expressed his enthusiasm on the club’s website.
He said: “I’m very happy. I think it’s a very big challenge, but I’m very positive because I saw a team that can do better. “
“It is important to connect with enthusiasts. I need a competitive team and I think Southampton’s enthusiasts will like it.
Croatian manager Juric had been out of work for just over a month.
It has a taste for the game that has been described as “heavy steel football”, in which its players run strongly and concentrate on running.
Juric said goodbye to Rome after only 3 months in office after replacing Daniele de Rossi.
Juric left Roma 20th in the Europa League table and only four points ahead of the relegation zone in Serie A.
They will have a relegation war on their hands at St Mary’s, with Southampton lately at the back of the table and nine problems from safety.
The former Sevilla and Hajduk midfielder first joined Italian side Mantova in 2014.
Spells with Crotone, Genoa, Hellas Verona and Torino followed.
He left Torino at the end of the 2023/24 season after 3 seasons in the table with the Serie A team.
Rome appointed him coach in September after Rossi collected 3 problems in his first 4 games in the campaign.
However, he did not change his luck and refused after 12 games in charge.
He managed four wins, three draws and five losses in that time.
Southampton brushed Martin after being 5-0 down by Tottenham at home last Sunday.
The 38-year-old had guided the Saints to promotion via the play-offs from the Championship last season at the first time of asking following their relegation the year before.
But any credit in the bank was depleted when they suffered their 13th league defeat in 16 games against Spurs.
Southampton have scored 11 goals this season in the league, conceding 36 years. Only Wolves have conceded more, leaving 40 years so far.
The Saints submitted to a 2-1 loss opposite Liverpool in the Carabao Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday in their first Martin Fit.
They head to Fulham on Sunday in the Premier League as they look to secure their second league win of the season.
Their other league win this crusade came here in a 1-0 home win over Everton in early November.