Ex-Southampton boss Ivan Juric rushed to hospital as new club release statement

Ivan Juric, the former Southampton manager, is in hospital after suffering "serious inflammation" of his upper airways but is "significantly improving", Atalanta have confirmed in a statement.

Juric, 49, spent time in charge of Southampton during the 2024-25 campaign after being drafted in to replace Russell Martin back in December. But he was later sacked in April after the Saints' relegation from the Premier League was confirmed.

The Croatian has since been appointed as the new head coach of Atalanta, who confirmed him as Gian Piero Gasperini's successor last month.

Thankfully, Atalanta have confirmed that Juric is responding well to antibiotics after complications caused by a bacterial epiglottitis infection led to him being hospitalised.

He is expected to be discharged in the coming days, according to the Serie A outfit.

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The club's statement read: "Atalanta BC announces that coach Ivan Juric was hospitalized in recent days at the Bolognini Hospital in Seriate, in the ENT department headed by Dr. Davide Panciera, following a serious inflammation of the upper airways, complicated by a bacterial infection of the epiglottis, which was treated with intravenous antibiotics.

"The current clinical picture is significantly improving, and a protected discharge is expected in the next few days."

After embarking on a new challenge with Atalanta in Italy, Juric admitted that his time in the Premier League with Southampton was challenging.

"[It was] a negative year on a sporting level, he said. "[From a] human and knowledge level, it was fantastic. I think I feel much stronger than a year ago, because [at] Roma I saw great clubs, great players. I learned a lot.

"In Southampton, I appreciated a fabulous Premier League. People who are in the club, who know how to work. I saw really beautiful things. In the Premier League, I also remember the level of the players, [it's] very high.

"I think two negative experiences on the one hand, and on the other, [it was] very positive for me and my growth."

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