MIDFIELDER Will Smallbone believes former boss Ivan Juric is a better manager than his poor Saints record shows.

Juric, 49, departed Southampton following confirmation of their relegation, having won just one of 14 Premier League games in charge.

The Croatian left Saints with the worst point-per-game record of any Premier League manager to have taken charge of at least 10 games.

He earned just 0.29 points-per-game and guided Saints to the earliest relegation in Premier League history.

However, Republic of Ireland international Smallbone believes the players should take responsibility for Juric's poor record.

“I think his (Juric’s) record in Italy shows how good of a manager he is. Us as players will always look at ourselves first," he told PLP.

“There was a lot that we could have done better to help him, but I don’t think his points-per-game tally in the Premier League will define him as a manager.

“He has got enough behind him to show that he is better than that. I enjoyed working with him.

Will Smallbone scored his first Premier League goal under Ivan Juric.Will Smallbone scored his first Premier League goal under Ivan Juric. (Image: PA)

“When he first came in, I was injured and on the sidelines, trying to integrate back into the squad.

“He was great with me at giving information. There is stuff that he has given me that I will definitely take with me through my career.”

Defender Walker-Peters echoed Smallbone's sentiments and added: “We got on really well. I spoke with him often and had one-on-one chats.

“He always asked me for advice on how he can help the group. As a mentor and a manager, he helped me improve as well.

“I don’t think those stats are a reflection of him. We have to take onus of that. We weren’t good enough.”