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Southampton are reportedly set to appoint a former Serie A boss as their new manager.
Saints are searching for a new manager after Russell Martin was sacked last Sunday with the club rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table.
The south coast club have so far managed just one win in 16 games on their return to the top flight and are nine points away from safety.
According The AthleticSouthampton have reached an agreement to appoint former Roma manager Ivan Juric as their new manager.
The outlet claims the 49-year-old is expected to fly to the UK today (Friday) with a view to being on the touchline for Sunday’s clash against Fulham.
The Croatian has reached an agreement until 2026 with a two-year extension option.
Premier League strugglers Southampton are on the verge of appointing a new manager
Saints have reportedly agreed a deal to appoint former Roma boss Ivan Juric
Russell Martin was sacked last week with Southampton rooted to the bottom of the table
Juric was sacked from his role with Roma last month after just three months in charge, having replaced Daniel De Rossi in September.
It left the team four points above the Serie A relegation zone and in 20th place in the Europa League standings.
Southampton are said to view him as a strong character who makes teams difficult to beat through his physical intensity and solid defensive structure.
Juric previously spent three years with Torino and was a strong candidate to become Southampton manager two years ago.
He was in the final two to replace Ralph Hasenhuttl, but the Saints opted for Nathan Jones.
Talks were held with Sheffield Wednesday head coach Danny Rohl, but Southampton were unwilling to pay a large fee to secure his services.
The Championship side were unwilling to let Dohl leave cheaply after his brilliant start to the season, with the club four places and nine points behind the promotion places.
Juric, if the deal goes through, will be Southampton’s fourth manager in two years after Martin was sacked following the 5-0 thrashing of Tottenham.
Under-21 coach Simon Rusk took interim charge of the team in the Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool.