MANAGER Ivan Juric left nothing up to interpretation and declared he "absolutely" wants to stay and "create something" at Saints - whatever happens.

The Croatian boss, 49, insists he already understood the magnitude of the task when he took on the role at the Premier League's basement boys in December.

Saints picked up a point away at Fulham during the interim period ahead of his announcement but have been beaten in all five league fixtures since.

Juric believes his side have shown signs of improvement in their last two outings, but Saints are almost certain for the drop with six points from 22 matches.

However, former Torino and AS Roma boss Juric penned an 18-month contract, with an option to extend, and is determined to steer Saints back to success.

Juric told the Daily Echo: "Absolutely, I want to create something. I know the situation is difficult but I want to create something important with my mentality and the players.

Manager Ivan Juric has put to bed any thoughts that he wants to be viewed as a short-term punt at SaintsManager Ivan Juric has put to bed any thoughts that he wants to be viewed as a short-term punt at Saints (Image: PA)

"I think they like how we work and my idea is to stay here. If we can stay in the Premier League, perfect. If not, we will create something strong, really strong."

He added: "I expected some more points. I think we deserved some in Manchester United, West Ham, maybe Crystal Palace, even Nottingham in this moment.

"Three, four, five points more. But I'm enjoying every day because I think the Premier League is fantastic. The football is still pure and I like it a lot.

"We are starting to change everything. I have my ideas for playing. I think we need some kinds of players to compete in the Premier League but they are very open-minded.

"They want to do things I want. In the last games, I saw lots of progression and now I hope that we become competitive for all of the games."

Saints have been linked to Sheffield Wednesday's Danny Rohl, with Owls chairman Dejphon Chansiri saying he blocked an approach for the German.

Former Saints assistant Rohl will be the bookies' favourite for the managerial job at St Mary's should Juric and the club part ways at any early point.

Saints defender and captain-elect Jan Bednarek described Juric as "an honest person" when he spoke about the new boss for the first time this week.

"The manager is a really honest person and that is the first thing we need to appreciate with him. He always reacts and there are no hard feelings," said the Pole.

Juric explained: "I'm always honest. I always tell the players the truth and I like it this way. They are starting to know me and how I am. And then the other side.

"I was watching them and now I'm starting to get to know them better, all of them and all of the mentality and things. I think it's getting better every day."

Juric referenced in this press conference how Kamaldeen Sulemana and Lesley Ugochukwu were among those not involved under the former boss, Russell Martin.

They have become key men for him, with Ugochukwu now likely to continue his loan from Chelsea and Kamaldeen slated to stay through the January window.

Asked whether that honesty has served Juric well with the out-of-favour duo, he responded: "No, I think from my first day they are working hard.

"I think for the Premier League, they have quality to play in the Premier League. You have to have some quality to play and they have it.

"Maybe before there were some issues that I don't know, they didn't play, but this month, they demonstrated to me and everybody they can be here in Southampton."