The Premier League has just gotten louder—and not just on the field. Southampton FC’s new manager, Ivan Juric, is making waves with his unconventional approach, drawing inspiration from his love of death metal to reinvigorate the struggling team.
During his first press conference, Juric surprised reporters by likening his football philosophy to the intensity of death metal. “When I was young, I loved death metal music, and my style of football reflects that—high-pressing, relentless, and intense,” he explained. While he admitted to mellowing with age, Juric added, “Good metal music is always in my head, even now.”
Juric, who signed an 18-month contract to replace Russell Martin, takes charge of a team sitting at the bottom of the Premier League table with just six points. Southampton faces a steep climb, with Wolverhampton and Ipswich Town already doubling their tally.
The Serbian-Italian manager has a well-documented passion for metal. In a 2010 interview with Rolling Stone Italy, Juric shared his musical evolution: “I started with Metallica and Megadeth at 14, then moved to bands like Napalm Death, Obituary, and Carcass.” He also emphasized his aggressive approach to football, saying, “Golf isn’t my game—I’m more intense.”
Southampton will play their first match under Juric’s leadership on Boxing Day, hosting West Ham at St. Mary’s Stadium. Fans are eager to see if the team can channel their new manager’s fiery energy and begin climbing the standings.
With death metal riffs as his soundtrack and high-octane tactics on the pitch, Ivan Juric might just be the spark Southampton needs to turn their season around.
