Everton’s prospective new owners are reportedly discussing whether to replace Ivan Juric at Roma just weeks after his appointment
Pressure is reportedly mounting on Roma boss Ivan Juric with former Everton manager Frank Lampard among those being touted to replace him.
Sections of the Italian media, including Sky Sports, claim Monday could be a pivotal day for Juric as the Serie A side’s hierarchy – and prospective new Blues owners – The Friedkin Group consider the fallout from a 3-2 defeat at Hellas Verona.
The loss on Sunday followed a 5-1 hammering at Fiorentina last weekend, though a narrow win over Torino in midweek offered some respite for Juric.
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But with Roma currently sitting in 11th place with 13 points from their first 11 games, scrutiny is intensifying on the man brought in just weeks ago.
It is also growing on TFG, who caused uproar in Rome by sacking club legend Daniele de Rossi just a handful of games into this season. That, and other issues, have led to some parts of the fanbase protesting against them.
Should TFG’s takeover of Everton get the green light one of their first big decisions will be over the futures of Sean Dyche and director of football Kevin Thelwell, both of whom are on contracts due to expire in the summer.
Discussions over whether to appoint a third manager of this season in Rome will therefore be an unwelcome distraction to any forward planning for their arrival on Merseyside.
That Lampard could come into their thinking adds another twist to an already compelling narrative.
For Juric, meanwhile, there have been positives – but big mistakes are proving costly to his attempts to settle in the Eternal City.
Asked about conceding eight goals in consecutive away games after the defeat in Verona, he said: “It was embarrassing in Florence and it has nothing to do with tonight’s game. It was a complete disaster and I accepted it as just that. Since that day, there’s been a brilliant reaction. Even before that game, we’d been working well, but we have been making mistakes that are hard to explain. The first goal is an example and the second is a foul…
“We did score twice and carve out plenty of chances plus a series of sustained attacks. We’re paying the price.
“Sometimes, I think football is just like that. We have to stay clear-headed, see what we’re doing and raise our level of focus. Having said that, it’s not just about focus because these mistakes are too big.”
