Former Southampton boss Ivan Juric has been hospitalised after suffering ‘serious inflammation’ of his upper airways.
The Croatian was set to take charge of his first training session as Atalanta boss after replacing Gian Piero Gasperini at La Dea last month.
But Juric, whose miserable tenure at St Mary’s last just 16 matches, contracted a bacterial infection which caused part of his airways to become seriously inflamed.
An club statement read: ‘Atalanta BC announces that coach Ivan Juric was hospitalized in recent days at the Bolognini Hospital in Seriate, in the ENT department headed by Dr. Davide Panciera, following a serious inflammation of the upper airways, complicated by a bacterial infection of the epiglottis, which was treated with intravenous antibiotics.’
Thankfully, the 49-year-old is ‘significantly improving’, with the club adding that a ‘protected discharge is expected in the next few days.’
Juric, who has also managed Serie A sides Roma, Torino and Genoa, joined Atalanta on a two-year deal in June.
Former Southampton boss Ivan Juric has been hospitalised after suffering ‘serious inflammation’ of his upper airways
The Croatian manager last just 16 matches in charge of the south coast side, who were relegated last season
The surprise appointment came just three months after he was sacked by Southampton following their relegation to the Championship.
He managed just two wins – against fellow relegated side Ipswich and second-tier Swansea City – during his 16 matches in charge.
When Southampton’s relegation was confirmed in April he pointed the finger at the club’s recruitment while stressing the need to ‘understand the mistakes the club made in the last three or four years’.
Upon returning to the Italian top flight, he said: ‘[It was) a negative year on a sporting level. [From a] human and knowledge level, it was fantastic.
‘I think I feel much stronger than a year ago, because [at] Roma I saw great clubs, great players. I learned a lot. In Southampton, I appreciated a fabulous Premier League. People who are in the club, who know how to work.
‘I saw really beautiful things. In the Premier League, I also remember the level of the players, [it’s] very high. I think two negative experiences on the one hand, and on the other, [it was] very positive for me and my growth.’