The appointment of Ivan Jurić as Southampton’s manager in late December 2024 set tongues wagging across the football world. Known for his no-nonsense style and preference for aggressive football, Jurić arrived at St Mary’s with a reputation for demanding the best from his squad. However, as of mid-January 2025, the results on the pitch aren’t exactly reassuring. The Saints remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table, and fans are starting to wonder if the club’s big gamble has already begun to unravel.
For many, the initial excitement about a new managerial appointment quickly shifted to concern when Southampton’s performances, although spirited at times, still ended in defeat or late collapses. There’s a sense that while Jurić’s intense mentality might energise the team, the harsh reality is that they’re still losing matches they desperately need to win. With relegation looming, the question is whether Southampton made the right call in placing their trust in someone who’s never managed in the Premier League before.
A Strong Mindset, But Early Setbacks
When Jurić first stepped into the dugout at St Mary’s, there was a noticeable shift in Southampton’s playing style. Known for his preference for an aggressive press and quick forward movements, he immediately looked to inject his trademark energy into the side. His opening fixture—a narrow 1-0 loss to West Ham United—showed glimmers of promise, with the Saints chasing the ball aggressively and creating a few decent chances. But ultimately, they left the pitch with nothing to show for their efforts.
The following FA Cup victory over Swansea City offered some momentary relief. A 3-0 triumph with goals from fresh-faced Tyler Dibling and the pacey Kamaldeen Sulemana broke an 11-match winless run. At that point, it seemed like Jurić’s ideas were starting to click, and supporters could finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. Unfortunately, that light grew dimmer once the league campaign resumed. A disheartening 3-1 defeat to Manchester United, after initially taking the lead through a Manuel Ugarte own goal, highlighted the problem that continues to plague the Saints: they can’t maintain concentration for the full 90 minutes.
Jurić hasn’t been shy about pointing out his players’ naivety. After the match at Old Trafford, he was blunt in saying they’d played “like innocent kids.” It’s precisely that lack of game management that he’s keen to address. He wants his players to be what he calls “a little bit more evil,” in other words, wiser about when to press, when to conserve energy, and how to close a match out. Although he’s known for his dynamic style, there’s clearly a learning curve involved for Southampton’s squad.
Signs of a Changing Mentality
For a team languishing at the foot of the table, it can be tough to see the positives, but if you look closely, there are some. Jurić seems to be instilling a sense of drive that wasn’t so apparent before. Players like Tyler Dibling, who grabbed a brace in the FA Cup, appear more confident under his guidance. Midfielder Will Smallbone’s return from injury has also provided a lift. Jurić has singled out Smallbone’s understanding of the game as a potential key to building more coherent midfield play.
But excitement won’t pay the bills—results do. Jurić’s approach so far could be described as aggressive yet occasionally reckless. Southampton’s matches against West Ham and Manchester United showed that the team’s new pressing style can unsettle opponents, but missed chances and lapses in concentration at the back have cost them dearly. The biggest hurdle remains turning these spirited performances into points on the board, a necessity given Southampton’s precarious position.
The Biggest Bet
When Southampton decided to bring in Jurić, they were effectively rolling the dice. Hiring a manager who’d never worked in the Premier League was a major risk, particularly for a team struggling at the bottom of the table. The move was the footballing equivalent of placing a massive bet at an online casino and hoping luck would come through at the crucial moment. That’s the kind of gamble every new casino 2025 has brought thus far hopes its players will make because those are the bets that make casinos money. The house almost always wins on these bets, but Southampton are hoping to beat the odds. If it pays off, Southampton might look back on this as a stroke of genius, but if it goes wrong, the club could find itself in an even deeper hole.
Jurić’s fiery nature adds another layer to the story. His past includes a well-publicised bust-up with Torino’s sporting director over player acquisitions. While his passion might impress some fans who want a manager willing to battle behind the scenes, others may worry that this attitude could cause friction at a club that needs unity more than ever. If Jurić pushes too hard and doesn’t get the backing he wants, relationships with the board could sour. On the other hand, his refusal to accept half-measures might be what it takes to prise open the purse strings in the transfer market. After all, it’s no secret the squad needs reinforcements if they’re to climb out of trouble.
Where Do Southampton Go From Here?
No one can deny that Jurić has clear ideas about how he wants his team to play. Aggressive, relentless pressing is something that can catch opponents off-guard, particularly at home. But for it to work consistently, players need to have not just the fitness but also the composure to navigate the ups and downs of a match. If Southampton can find a way to stay switched on from start to finish, they might just surprise a few critics.
However, time is not on their side. Each passing game without a win tightens the noose further. Relegation is looming, and the fixture list isn’t showing much mercy. The psychological pressure of being at the bottom can’t be ignored either. Jurić may feel that if Southampton can perform with spirit at places like Old Trafford, they can compete anywhere. The truth is, though, they need more than good performances—they need points.
So, is the Juric gamble backfiring already? It might be too early to say for certain, but the cracks are beginning to show. The heightened intensity is visible, but the bottom line is that Southampton remain bottom of the league. Fans who welcomed Jurić’s appointment now find themselves biting their nails, wondering if this bet will pay off or end in heartbreak.
All eyes will be on the next few matches. If Southampton don’t start picking up points soon, the rest of the season could dissolve into a desperate fight for survival. Jurić has proven that his methods can unsettle even strong opponents, but proving it across an entire league campaign is another matter. In football, small details often make the biggest difference, and Southampton have little margin for error.
