Southampton have confirmed former Roma boss Ivan Juric as their new manager replacing Russell Martin.
The 49-year-old has agreed an 18-month deal, which includes a release clause at the end of the season.
The south coast side take on Fulham at Craven Cottage at 2pm and it remains to be seen if he will be on the bench for the match.
Juric has not yet been allowed to obtain the Visa that allows him to work.
Although talkSPORT understands that will be sorted soon, and the club are hopeful they can cope against the Cottagers.
If his work permit does not arrive in time, Under-21 coach Simon Rusk will take charge in west London.
Free agent Juric was on Saints' list to replace Ralph Hasenhuttl two years ago.
He was the second choice of eventual successor Nathan Jones.
But he has finally joined Southampton, and Juric expressed his delight on the club's website.
He said: “I am very happy. I think it is a really big challenge but I am very optimistic because I saw a team that can do better.
“It's important to connect immediately with fans. “I want an aggressive team and I think Southampton fans will like that.”
Croatian coach Juric had been out of work for just over a month.
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It has a style of play that has been described as “heavy metal football”, which involves its players working hard in training and focusing a lot on running.
Juric was sacked by Roma after just three months in charge after replacing Daniele De Rossi.
Juric left Roma in 20th place in the Europa League standings and just four points ahead of the relegation zone in Serie A.
They will have another relegation battle at St Mary's, with Southampton They are currently last in the table and nine points from safety.
Juric, a former Sevilla and Hajduk Split midfielder, first took over as coach in 2014 at Italian side Mantova.
Stays in Crotone, Genoa, Hellas Verona and Turin followed.
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He parted ways with Torino at the end of the 2023/24 season after three mid-table seasons with the Serie A team.
Roma appointed him coach in September after De Rossi managed just three points in his first four games of the campaign.
However, he failed to change his fortunes and was sacked after 12 games in charge.
They achieved four wins, three draws and five losses in that time.
Southampton sacked Martin after being beaten 5-0 by Tottenham at home last Sunday.
The 38-year-old had guided the Saints to promotion via the Championship play-offs last season when he was first approached after their relegation the previous year.
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But all credit in the bank ended when his team suffered their 13th league defeat in 16 games against Spurs.
Southampton have scored just 11 goals this season in the league, conceding a whopping 36. Only Wolves have conceded more, allowing 40 so far.
The Saints suffered a 2-1 loss to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday in their first match without Martin.
They travel to Fulham on Sunday in the Premier League as they look to pick up their second league win of the season.
Their only other league win this campaign was a 1-0 win over Everton at home in early November.
