Former Southampton manager Ivan Juric has been admitted to hospital with severe upper airway inflammation, missing Atalanta's first pre-season training session on Tuesday.
The 49-year-old Croatian, who took charge of the Serie A club last month, is being treated at Bolognini Hospital in Seriate.
According to an official club statement, Juric is suffering from "serious inflammation of the upper airways, complicated by a bacterial infection of the epiglottis, which was treated with intravenous antibiotics."
The condition has prevented him from attending the Italian side's opening training session as they begin preparations for the new campaign.
PA
|Ivan Juric has been admitted to hospital with 'severe upper airway inflammation'
Medical staff at the ENT department, led by Dr Davide Panciera, have been overseeing Juric's care.
Atalanta confirmed that "the current clinical picture is significantly improving, and a protected discharge is expected in the next few days."
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The bacterial infection that complicated the inflammation required immediate medical intervention.
Juric has been receiving treatment through intravenous antibiotics to combat the infection affecting his epiglottis.
The Croatian manager has not yet released a personal statement regarding his hospitalisation.
His absence from pre-season preparations comes just weeks after signing a two-year contract with Atalanta in early June, following Gian Piero Gasperini's departure.
Juric's appointment at Atalanta came three months after Southampton sacked him following their relegation to the Championship.
The former Roma manager lasted just 107 days at St Mary's.
Reflecting on his time in England, Juric acknowledged the sporting disappointment whilst praising other aspects of the experience.
"It was a negative year on a sporting level," he said.
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PA
|Ivan Juric managed Southampton for 107 days
"From a human and knowledge level, it was fantastic."
He added: "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."
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