talkSPORT understands that Southampton are set to appoint Ivan Juric as their new manager to replace Russell Martin.
The Croatian is a free agent after he was sacked by Roma in November after a 3-2 loss at home to Bologna, a game in which the club’s ultras walked out of at half time to show their distaste for the boss.
The Saints have long tracked Juric, and he had been under consideration to replace Ralph Hasenhuttl two years ago.
Juric is in England today to speak to Southampton.
He lasted just three months at Roma after he was picked to replace Daniele De Rossi.
If he is to be made the Saints new boss, he will hope to last longer.
Pressers, pressers, pressers
It’s Friday, which means there are lots of Premier League press conferences.
Arne Slot and Eddie Howe have already been speaking to the media, and we’ll have news from them soon, while later on, Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta will be among those to be speaking to the media.
Of course, there is plenty for Guardiola to talk about after City lost the Manchester derby 2-1, while Arteta will most likely speak about his side’s Carabao Cup semi-final draw against Newcastle and the title race.
We will also hear from new Wolves boss Vitor Pereira.
Fulham boss Marco Silva has recalled Andreas Pereira to the matchday squad for tonight’s clash against Brighton.
Brazilian Pereira found himself in hot water with Cottagers fans after an interview regarding his potential summer exit surfaced earlier this week.
The former Manchester United star apologised for ‘his unprofessional conduct’ and he was subsequently axed from the 1-1 draw with Tottenham.
Silva described that move as a ‘technical decision’ and insisted it wasn’t to do with his interview, but he remained pre-match.
He told Amazon: “There is not just Andreas [on the bench tonight]. There are eight more players also on the bench.”.
Silva has made three changes from the side that drew 1-1 at Tottenham.
He added: “The games are coming thick and fast, after tonight we have not even 72 hours to recover for the next game. December is always like that. You have to manage the load of some players. So that and the suspensions and the strategy we want to play to be at our best level means that we made some changes.”
Rodrigo Muniz replaces Raul Jimenez up front, while there are also starts for Timothy Castagne and Harry Wilson.
Castagne starts for Fulham on his 29th birthday – the oldest player to appear on his birthday in the Premier League for the Cottagers since Steve Sidwell v Everton in December 2013 (31st).
Wilson is making his 50th Premier League start tonight – just 200 shy of the number Brighton captain Lewis Dunk will bring in.
However, Danny Welbeck, who captained the Seagulls last Friday in Dunk’s absence, has not been included in the matchday squad.
Fabio Carvalho has admitted he thought he would get a chance to break into Liverpool’s first team before leaving for Brentford.
The Portuguese starlet looked to have finally found his feet at Anfield after an impressive pre-season under new boss Arne Slot.
Having joined for £5m from Fulham in 2022, Carvalho managed 21 appearances in his first season under Jurgen Klopp, starting just eight times and scoring three goals.
He then endured a frustrating loan spell with RB Leipzig in the first half of last year, but a strong finish at Hull City and the arrival of Slot offered him a fresh start during Liverpool’s pre-season.
The 21-year-old then scored in friendly victories over rivals Manchester United and Arsenal during Liverpool’s tour of the USA.
However, the return of more established stars from an extended break due to their involvements in Euro 2024/Copa America such as Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz meant regular football would be unlikely.
Carvalho has since completed a move to Brentford, worth an initial £22.5million, and made his debut for the Bees in the 2-1 win over Crystal Palace.
Asked if he felt he had a role to play at Anfield, Carvalho told Sky Sports: “I did. I thought I did alright [in pre-season], to be fair.
“But as a footballer, you get that feeling where you know certain players aren’t back and when they come back things change.
“You sort of get that feeling and when that happens you’re like, yeah, this is the real deal and it’s like I’m not just going to stay at Liverpool.
“As much as I love the club, it’s one of the best clubs in the world and I’ve got nothing but love for the fans, but I’m not going to sit on the bench because what’s the point?”
