Atalanta Boss Juric Hospitalized with Serious Airway Infection

FORMER Southampton manager Ivan Juric is in hospital after suffering "serious inflammation" of his upper airways.

The 49-year-old is now in charge of Serie A big boys Atalanta having replaced Gian Piero Gasperini as manager last month.

3 Atalanta boss Ivan Juric has been hospitalised with 'inflammation of the upper airways' Credit: REX

3 The 49-year-old is thankfully recovering from the ordeal, which saw him miss the start. of pre-season training Credit: GETTY

But he wasn't present for the club's first pre-season training session on Tuesday after a bacterial infection 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 ."

The condition of Croatian Juric is, thankfully, improving.

Atalanta's statement continued: "The current clinical picture is significantly improving, and a protected discharge is expected in the next few days."

Former Roma boss Juric has yet to issue a statement on his hospitalisation.

The Croat inked a two-year deal with Atalanta in early June.

His appointment as La Dea chief came just over three months after he was sacked by Southampton following their relegation to the Championship .

Juric was in charge of Saints for just 107 DAYS and admits he won't, from a sporting perspective, look back on his time at St Mary's with any fondness.

3 Ivan Juric was sacked by Southampton in April following the relegation to the Championship Credit: PA

Following confirmation of his return to Serie A management, 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."