FORMER Roma boss Ivan Juric has signed an 18-month contract to become Southampton manager, the Daily Echo understands.

The Croatian, who enjoyed his best managerial spell at Serie A side Torino, will be officially announced as Saints boss later today.

It remains unclear whether the 49 year old will be in the dugout at Fulham on Sunday due to needing a work permit.

Interim boss Simon Rusk has prepared Southampton for the 2pm kick-off, however, Juric will take the game if his work permit has been sorted in time.

Sport Republic are understood to have been won over by Juric's style of play, having previously taken an interest in him after they sacked Ralph Hasenhüttl.

Juric's Torino finished ninth in Serie A last season and only three Serie A teams conceded fewer than the 36 goals his team shipped.

However, they also only scored 36 goals - finishing on a goal difference of 0 - a record of which only three teams in the league scored fewer.

During his failed Roma tenure this campaign, he exclusively deployed three-at-the-back formations, rotating between 3-4-2-1, 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 systems.

Some outlets have suggested Juric's deal will include a break clause, however, we are unsure if this exists due to its uncommon nature.