Torino must tie Ivan Juric down to a new contract as Premier League strugglers Southampton weigh up a swoop for the Serie A boss, former Granada midfielder Patrizio Sala tells Toro IT.
Juventus’ near neighbours finished 16th in Italy’s top-flight before Juric’s arrival in the summer of 2021. 18 months later, following an impressive top-half finish, the Croatian coach has Torino fans dreaming of the next step.
European qualification, for the first time since 2019, is not out of the question. It’s been quite the turnaround.
And, with Juric’s contract expiring at the end of the current campaign, Sala feels that tying down one of the most underrated tacticians in Europe should be right at the top of Torino’s to-do list.
Southampton are big fans of Torino manager Ivan Juric
“I see (Juric’s) situation in a very positive light. Whether he will sign or not, I don’t know,” says Sala, part of Torino’s most recent Scudetto-winning squad in 1976.
“If I was in his place I would sign immediately because I think the bond with Torino goes beyond money. In my opinion, there is prestige linked to the consistency of performances and results. And, therefore, I hope that he signs. I wish it for him and, obviously, also for the Toro fans.”
Southampton, the Daily Mail say, considered the ‘exceptional‘ Juric before that ill-fated appointment of Nathan Jones in November; deeming the one-time Inter Milan assistant too ‘expensive’. With their Premier League status on the line, however, now may be the ideal time for The Saints owners to put their money where their mouth is.
“I would think about the renewal of Juric’s contract,” Sala adds. “He is the architect of the improvement of all these players. It is indisputable that Juric is a coach who knows how to make players improve. This is a fact.
“I think that Toro has the potential to quality for Europe.”
Ruben Selles, assistant to both Jones and Ralph Hasenhuttl, will lead Southampton out during this weekend’s clash with an out-of-sorts but uber-talented Chelsea side. Talks with top managerial target Jesse Marsch broke down recently.
Marcelo Gallardo, meanwhile, is reluctant to take over a relegation-threatened team with just three months of the season remaining.
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