Ola Aina’s ex-manager set to lead Onuachu and Aribo at Southampton till 2026

Former Torino FC boss Ivan Jurić, who previously managed Nigerian defender Ola Aina, is set to become the new head coach of Southampton, overseeing Super Eagles duo Paul Onuachu and Joe Aribo, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Saints parted ways with Russell Martin following the team’s poor performances, culminating in a crushing 5-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, which left Southampton at the bottom of the English Premier League standings.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Southampton has agreed to appoint Jurić as their new head coach to replace Martin.

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Recent updates confirm that the former AS Roma boss has arrived in England to finalise the deal. Jurić is expected to sign a contract valid until June 2026, with an additional two-year option included.

The Croatian manager will take charge of Onuachu, Aribo, and the rest of the squad, aiming to steer the Saints clear of relegation and avoid a return to the EFL Championship.

Jurić previously managed Ola Aina during his tenure at Torino from 2021 to 2024. Despite valuing the Nigerian defender, he was unable to prevent Aina’s transfer to Nottingham Forest. While managing AS Roma, the 49-year-old was reportedly interested in reuniting with Aina to strengthen his squad.

Ola Aina of Torino FC during the Serie A match at Stadio Grande Torino [Photo Credit/ Imago]
If the deal goes through, Aina will have the opportunity to reunite with his former boss—albeit as opponents on the pitch.

This post was last modified on December 21, 2024 5:38 pm

Ayomide Oguntimehin

Ayomide Oguntimehin is a CAF-accredited sports journalist and Editor at Soccernet.ng, with a proven track record in conducting interviews with Super Eagles stars such as William Troost-Ekong, Taiwo Awoniyi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ademola Lookman, and many others. He has also made a significant impact in breaking transfer news stories. Grounded in video editing, video journalism, social media management, and content strategy, Ayomide brings a wealth of expertise to his work.

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