What to expect from Ivan Juric: Tactics, play style, formation

With Ivan Juric agreeing a deal to replace Russell Martin, we analyse what the Croatian could bring to the Premier League.

Ivan Juric achievements and trophies

Ivan Juric's managerial career hasn't been blessed with honours, unable to guide any of his teams to a trophy.

He did, however, lead Crotone to second place in the 2015/16 Serie B campaign. That season, he was awarded the Panchina d'Argento, granted to the best coach in Serie B.

He was appointed and sacked at Genoa on three separate occasions between 2016 and 2018, managing just eight games in his third spell (drawing four and losing four).

Under his tenure with Hellas Verona, he competed in two top-flight seasons, impressing despite having one of the smaller budgets in the league.

He spent the longest time at Torino, where he managed 122 games, recording a 36.07% win percentage. The Granata and Juric amicably parted ways at the end of the 2023/24 term.

Juric was appointed as the Roma head coach following the dismissal of Daniele De Rossi, however was unable to improve on their poor run of form. He was eventually sacked on the 10th November 2024, and takes the Southampton job a little over a month later.

Ivan Juric formation

It is clear from his lengthy spell at Torino, Juric typically lines up in a 3-4-2-1 formation.

This formation is slowly becoming more and more popular in the top flight of English football, with Manchester United's Ruben Amorim also preferring a back three setup.

Ideally for Juric, Southampton's interim manager for the Carabao Cup quarter-final tie with Liverpool, Simon Rusk, opted for a three at the back formation, meaning the players are already somewhat familiar with the idea.

Ivan Juric tactics and philosophy

The Croatian often opts for man-to-man marking, which requires his players to be aggressive and reactive in their duels.

When on the offense, Juric prioritises the use of his wing-backs, who he likes to offer width, taking up crossing positions.

While a 3-4-2-1 formation can often be regarded as setup that doesn't allow players to express themselves, this is not the case with Juric.

Not only does he give his wing-backs the license to exploit space on the wings, but he also likes the two attacking midfielders behind the centre forward to move freely, often interchanging with the striker.

Duvan Zapata was a key element in Juric's setup at Torino, as his ability to drop deep and take defenders out of the game left space in behind for other attacking outlets.

Saints fans were becoming understandably frustrated under Russell Martin, giving away unnecessary goals due to overplaying at the back.

Juric, however, won't stand for complacent errors, and will aim to ensure his team are compact and hard to beat, dissimilar to the Southampton team we have seen in recent months.

Who will play under Ivan Juric?

Despite Southampton's league position suggesting otherwise, Juric has an array of talent at his disposal who, under the right man, could be taken to the next level.

A player who could have a huge role in Juric's team is Kyle Walker-Peters. The attacking minded full-back could be an effective outlet on either side, possessing the pace to really hurt the opposition. Yukinari Sugawara could partner Walker-Peters on the opposite flank.

For a short period, Flynn Downes was talked up to be Declan Rice's replacement at West Ham. Instead, Southampton now have his services, and the energetic, hard working midfielder could thrive in a more compact setup.

A player who would likely thrive under any manager is Tyler Dibling.

Dibling has enjoyed his breakthrough season at the Saints, playing the majoirty of his minutes from right wing. He does, however, have the ability to play in a more central role and could be deployed as one of the two attacking midfielders behind the striker.

Juric could have the opportunity to strengthen in the January transfer window but, for now, this is how Southampton could line up under Juric.

Possible strongest Southampton starting XI under Ivan Juric (3-4-2-1): Ramsdale, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens, Sugawara, Walker-Peters, Downes, Ugochukwu, Dibling, Fernandes, Archer.