OWNER and chairman Dragan Solak insisted manager Ivan Juric will remain in charge of the club next season whatever division Saints are in.

Juric, 49, was appointed as Russell Martin's replacement in December but has been beaten in all six of his Premier League matches at the helm.

Saints had been linked with interest in Sheffield Wednesday's Danny Rohl but Juric penned an 18-month contract with an option to extend that further.

The St Mary's side are almost certain for the drop with just six points from 23 Premier League matches but Juric is keen to stay in the Championship.

Solak was in attendance for Saturday's 3-1 home defeat to Newcastle United, where this new interview was pre-recorded after the match.

He told talkSPORT: "I would never say that we are set on Championship already because it would be unfair to Ivan, the team, the players and the fans.

Dragan Solak pictured at St Mary's on Saturday (Image: Stuart Martin)

"We'll fight every game. All I can promise is that we'll continue fighting and planning longer term. We signed a contract with Ivan for a year and a half.

"So yes, he is our manager for the next season and we will obviously try to prepare the best possible team for the next season that should be suited to his way of playing football.

"But whether that would be Championship or Premier League, I'm not going to state now. We'll try to do the best we can for the next season and I'm generally a guy who plans ahead."

Speaking about Juric, Solak added: "We have a very ambitious manager who is trying to change the game, how we played, the attitude of the team.

"I think unfortunately the team has been selected and set up for a bit different game than he would like to play, so I think he has some issues with some positions in the team.

"He's very positive, hard-working, doesn't complain and is just trying to do the best with what he has. We'll try to help him to get the team to the level where he can really perform well."

The Daily Echo has requested the opportunity to question the club's owners and decision makers amid another failed season in the Premier League.