Southampton’s new head coach Ivan Juric has an unorthodox plan to orchestrate a miraculous escape for the Premier League’s bottom club – implementing an aggressive, high-octane brand of football inspired by his love of death metal music. The 49-year-old Croat, who watched from the stands as the Saints battled to a gritty 0-0 draw with Fulham in his first match in charge, is renowned for his intense, heavy metal approach to the beautiful game.
“When I was young I liked death metal music a lot and it’s something my style of football is a lot like,” Juric explained in his first press conference as Southampton boss. “It is a high-pressing style…now I’m a little bit less [of a fan], I’m a little bit soft now,” the former Torino and Roma manager added with a wry smile, hinting at a slightly more pragmatic approach in his latest role.
An Unconventional Tactical Philosophy
Juric, who favored the sounds of extreme metal bands like Napalm Death, Obituary and Carcass in his youth, makes no secret of how his musical tastes have shaped his footballing philosophy. “I’m not a golf man, it’s not the game for me…I’m a little more aggressive,” the Croat asserted, contrasting the laid-back vibe of the greens and fairways with his own high-intensity vision for the Saints.
We can do something exceptional. Nobody has stayed in the Premier League from this situation.
– Ivan Juric on Southampton’s relegation battle
Southampton currently sit rock bottom of the Premier League table with just six points from 17 matches – a perilous position from which no team has ever previously achieved survival. Derby County’s record low haul of 11 points in the 2007-08 season looms as an ominous worst-case scenario. However, Juric remains undaunted by the scale of the challenge that lies ahead.
“The guys have to be motivated to do something that has never been done,” he declared bullishly. “There are a lot of good players, I’m really optimistic.” The Croat’s confidence stems from his experience of implementing bold, proactive tactical approaches and improving the results of struggling sides in Italy.
Bielsa-Inspired Pressing Approach
During his time at Torino, Juric became renowned for his “heavy metal” tactical philosophy characterized by relentless, coordinated pressing to unsettle opponents and force turnovers high up the pitch. He cites Leeds United’s legendary former manager Marcelo Bielsa as a key inspiration.
“I was a great fan of Bielsa when he was at Leeds. I like the way he thinks about football,” Juric noted, expressing his admiration for the influential Argentine coach who inspired Pep Guardiola and brought swashbuckling, high-risk football to Elland Road. Like Bielsa, Juric favors an enterprising, front-foot approach even against top opposition.
Positive Signs in Fulham Stalemate
Despite only watching from the stands, Juric was encouraged by aspects of Southampton’s dogged display to hold in-form Fulham at Craven Cottage. “It was the ideal mentality. They were solid…it was a competitive team. It was not easy to beat us,” he reflected, identifying the fighting spirit and defensive structure as a platform to build upon.
The challenge now is to inject more attacking impetus and dynamism into Southampton’s play, with Juric’s favored aggressive pressing pivotal to that. With three consecutive home games coming up against West Ham, Brighton and Nottingham Forest, the Croat has a golden opportunity to hit the ground running and quickly implement his methods.
Saints Fans Dreaming of Great Escape
Southampton supporters will be desperately hoping that Juric’s death metal football philosophy translates into a heavy metal ending to a thus far turgid campaign. If the charismatic Croat can transmit his passion and intensity to a squad low on confidence, the Saints may yet summon the spirit of Houdini to pull off the greatest of escapes and secure an unlikely shot at Premier League redemption next season.
The fate of the south coast club may ultimately depend on how quickly Juric’s players can absorb his demanding methods and put theory into practice. “They don’t know me but I know them. I have told them that I believe in them,” Juric stated, backing his squad to grasp the core concepts of his fast-paced, high-energy approach in time to spark a revival.
It’s important to work hard and understand everything that has happened… we can do something exceptional.
– Ivan Juric rallying his Southampton troops
All eyes will be on St Mary’s Stadium on Boxing Day as West Ham make the trip south for Juric’s first official match at the helm. If Southampton’s players can emerge with credit and a precious three points, belief will surge that the Croat’s death metal brand of football may yet provide the rousing soundtrack to an extraordinary Premier League survival mission. Over to you, Ivan Juric, to get Saints marching to a very different beat.
