Following Southampton’s confirmed relegation from the Premier League on Sunday, manager Ivan Juric has parted ways with the club. The Croatian’s tenure lasted a mere 108 days, marked by a challenging run of 12 defeats in 14 top-flight fixtures.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Juric exercised a relegation clause in his contract, leading to his departure. Southampton’s fate was sealed after a 3-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur, coupled with results elsewhere that rendered their survival mathematically impossible.

Southampton’s dismal season sees them relegated with a historically low points tally, highlighting the considerable task ahead as they prepare for life in the Championship. The club will now commence the search for a new manager to spearhead their efforts to return to the Premier League.

Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili added an unexpected layer of intrigue to his team’s recent 2-1 victory over Real Madrid, revealing a pre-match bet with Vinícius Júnior concerning the Brazilian’s first-half penalty.

Following the penalty awarded to Real Madrid in the 13th minute, Mamardashvili proposed a wager of €50 to Vinícius, predicting he would save the spot-kick. The Georgian goalkeeper subsequently fulfilled his prediction, diving to his right to deny Vinícius the opening goal.

While Vinícius did find the net later in the match, Valencia ultimately secured the win thanks to a late goal from Hugo Duro. Post-match, Mamardashvili humorously noted, “I had a conversation with Vinicius, and I won €50. He ought to pay me, but he hasn’t yet.”

Beyond the lighthearted wager, Mamardashvili’s performance was a crucial factor in Valencia’s triumph, with several key saves contributing significantly to their victory. The penalty save, however, adds a memorable anecdote to a game already rich in narrative.

Real Madrid suffered a 2-1 defeat to Valencia on Saturday, a match compounded by Vinicius Jr.’s missed penalty. The Brazilian forward faced audible disapproval from the home crowd following the unsuccessful attempt.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti, addressing the situation post-match, maintained confidence in his player. “Vinicius is focused on what he’s doing,” Ancelotti stated. “He may play well or poorly, but he’s focused on what he’s doing.”

While acknowledging the setback in the La Liga title race, Ancelotti affirmed the team’s resolve. “It’s much more difficult to fight for the league title now, but we’re determined to do well until the end,” he commented. He also alluded to a pattern of penalty misses this season, citing other prominent players who have faced similar struggles.

The loss leaves Real Madrid trailing Barcelona by four points in the league standings, adding pressure as the season progresses.