Southampton manager Ivan Juric has highlighted the stark difference in physicality between the Premier League and the Championship as a key factor behind his team’s early relegation from England’s top flight.
The Saints’ 3-1 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday confirmed their drop to the second tier with seven games left to play, the earliest relegation in Premier League history.
Juric, who took charge in December, believes newly promoted teams are simply outmatched physically at this level.
“What I notice the most in these three or four months is a completely different physicality between us and the other teams,” Juric said post-match.
“The same thing happened to Leicester and Ipswich. In transitions and quick phases, you just can’t keep up.”
Southampton sit bottom of the table, with fellow promoted sides Ipswich and Leicester also in serious danger of going down.
Despite the setback, Juric expressed his desire to remain at the helm and help guide the club back to the Premier League.
“It’s an honour to coach in the Premier League. If I took the long way to get back here, I’m ready,” he said. “Now it’s about discussions with the club, aligning ideas, and deciding if we can rebuild together.”
Juric’s contract runs through 2026, and the club faces a tough road ahead as they prepare for life back in the Championship.
