Southampton have named former Stockport County manager Simon Rusk as interim boss for the rest of the Premier League season following the departure of Ivan Jurić.
The decision comes just hours after the club confirmed the Croatian’s exit, following a disastrous campaign that saw the Saints suffer the earliest relegation in Premier League history with seven matches still to play.
Rusk’s only previous managerial experience was with then-National League side Stockport County, where he spent nine months before being dismissed in October 2021.
New era with familiar faces
Rusk, who has been working behind the scenes at St Mary’s since last summer, will now lead the first team for the final run-in of a bruising campaign. He will be assisted by current midfielder Adam Lallana, who takes up his first coaching role while remaining a registered player.
Ivan Juric will be replaced by Simon Rusk as interim manager until the end of the season. Adam Lallana will act as his assistant.
Juric’s departure to be confirmed imminently. Danny Rohl high in Southampton’s thinking. Liam Rosenior another name appreciated, but BlueCo have no… pic.twitter.com/mfdUZLWjAG
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) April 7, 2025
Lallana, a key figure in Southampton’s rise from League One to the Premier League during his first stint at the club, returned last summer after spells at Liverpool and Brighton. He’s made 18 appearances in all competitions this term and will now transition into coaching duties to support Rusk’s temporary tenure.
“We remain incredibly grateful for the ongoing support of our fans,” said a Southampton statement.
“Their continued dedication and passion, despite what has been a very tough season, is remarkable and is appreciated by everyone at the club.
“Despite the challenges that relegation will bring, our goal is to restore a sense of pride for them in their team and club once again.”
Rusk’s appointment marks Southampton’s third managerial change this season, with Russell Martin dismissed in December before Jurić’s brief and ultimately unsuccessful stint in charge. The 42-year-old began his coaching journey after a playing career in the lower leagues, later finding success in youth development roles, most notably with Brighton’s U23 side and the England U19s.
He arrived at Southampton as head coach of the U21s in July 2024 and has since stepped in during moments of transition, including a brief spell as caretaker boss in December. His most recent position was as part of Jurić’s coaching staff.
With Southampton’s Premier League fate already sealed, attention now turns to rebuilding for life in the Championship. Rusk and Lallana have been handed the task of steadying the ship and restoring pride ahead of a crucial summer.
Writer’s view
It’s a bold and perhaps refreshing move from Southampton. Rusk is highly respected within development circles and has a track record of improving young players—something the Saints will rely on in the Championship. Lallana’s appointment as assistant may feel sentimental, but it shows a commitment to continuity and identity. The next seven matches may be a formality in terms of the table, but for fans, this is a chance to lay the first bricks of a hopeful rebuild.
