Torino coach Ivan Juric has conquered the fans Filadelfia with his ambitions for the Granata, the good football and maybe the criticism of owner Urbano Cairo’s transfer strategies – he even had a pint with the supporters on Sunday.
After 11 games in the 2021-22 season, the Granata sit 11th with 14 points, but the performances in the three 1-0 defeats to Juventus, Napoli and Milan have encouraged the fans at the Grande Torino.
The coach stressed the ‘performances are better than the results’ before smashing Sampdoria at home in the last round.
The season started with a 2-1 defeat to Atalanta at home, but Juric’s men have bounced back and picked up 10 points from the next five games in Turin – the only other defeat came against local rivals Juventus on October 2.
The fans are constantly chanting the Croatian coach’s name, as he arrived from Hellas Verona during the summer and asked for changes to be made in the dressing room.
Juric is outspoken and his attacking style, intense and aggressive, has helped bring the enthusiasm back in Turin.
Calciomercato.com reports he was witnessed in a local pub in San Salvario last night, drinking a beer surrounded by happy supporters after the 3-0 win over Sampdoria on Saturday.
Juric has leverage and is not risking losing his position at the Granata, thus asking for reinforces in the open.
Juric: ‘I want to protect Belotti; I hope the President listens to me in January’
The coach criticised the transfer strategy during the summer and was at it again ahead of the win over the Blucerchiati.
“I hope the President listens to me in January, with my value that is worth a little more,” he said at a press conference on Friday.
Urbano Cairo has a tense relationship with the Toro faithful and the President will most likely be willing to support Juric, as he aims to please the new coach.
Juric could be the last chance for the patron to start an important cycle and regain the faith from the fans in Turin and is thus expected to please the coach from Split in the upcoming transfer market.
Brilliant coach. All he needs now is fully fit + on-form Belotti.
Lads I am telling you, Torino under Juric in 2 years will be back in Europe 100%. The 7 sister could soon be 9 if Atalanta don’t slip up and Fiorentina can keep up this form.
I’m Lazio fan but I am so happy to see the competition grow every year. Keep working and bring Serie A back to it’s glory days.