Ex-Premier League manager hospitalised with 'serious inflammation of airways' just before taking first training session with new club Atalanta

Former Southampton manager Juric has been put in hospital after contracting a serious chest infection. The 49-year-old has taken over at Atalanta from Gian Piero Gasperini following his move to Roma but was unable to take charge of his first training session with the Italian side after his upper airways became inflamed due to a bacterial infection.

While the news is undoubtedly scary for Atalanta fans and supporters throughout the football world, Atalanta have been positive in their updates. They say the former Torino, Hellas Verona and Genoa manager is "significantly improving" and added a "protected discharge is expected in the next few days".

A club statement reads: "Atalanta BC announces that coach Ivan Juric was hospitalised 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."

Juric will be hoping for a more fruitful spell at Atalanta after a disastrous stint with Southampton. The Saints were pretty much doomed by the time of his arrival but they soon suffered the earliest relegation in Premier League history, with Juric overseeing just two wins in his 16 games in charge in all competitions.

Juric will hope for a speedy recovery as he prepares for the start of the 2025-26 campaign with a new club. He signed a two-year contract upon arrival and will lead La Dea into the Champions League after their finish of third in Serie A last term.