Sept 21 (Reuters) - Newly-appointed AS Roma coach Ivan Juric has set an ambitious goal for the club, aiming for a spot in the Champions League despite their disappointing start to the season.
Juric, formerly the coach of Torino, took over the reins on Wednesday from Daniele De Rossi, who was dismissed after Roma failed to secure a win in their first four Serie A matches.
The 49-year-old Croatian has signed a contract until June next year with Italian media reporting that the deal might be extended if Roma qualified for the Champions League this season.
"The owners were very clear and direct. In my view, the shift is making the squad much younger overall, so they asked me to grow and develop players, but also certainly get results," Juric told a press conference on Saturday.
"The objective of the club is that Roma go into the Champions League and stay there consistently over time. That is the main aim."
Expressing humility at his new role, Juric also had words of praise for his predecessor.
"I think Daniele did a great job with organisation and the behaviour of the players, and the fitness levels are good. I want to introduce some things that I saw in the past and which I believe we can do," Juric said.
Juric's first challenge will be on Sunday at an in-form Udinese, who have won their last three matches and are second in the table.
"Udinese proved over the first few games that their mentality has changed, they are playing good football and have a real tactical balance," he said.
"At this moment, they are one of the strongest teams in Serie A, are physically strong, can score in a thousand different ways, so it will be very difficult to face them." (Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk; editing by Clare Fallon)