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What credentials will new Southampton boss Claude Puel bring?

Southampton have appointed Claude Puel as their new manager. The Frenchman, who has previously be...



What credentials will new Sout...
Soccer

What credentials will new Southampton boss Claude Puel bring?

Southampton have appointed Claude Puel as their new manager.

The Frenchman, who has previously been in charge of Monaco, Lyon and Nice, has been recruited as the replacement for Ronald Koeman, who left the Saints this summer to join Everton.

Trophy-wise Puel's most successful time as a manager was when he was in charge of Monaco - who he represented as a player - at the turn of the Millennium and led them to a Ligue 1 title in 1999-00.

However, his recent four-year spell at Nice has been successful.

Last season, he took them to 4th in Ligue 1 aided by the mercurial talents of ex-Newcastle winger Hatem Ben Arfa, finishing just two points shy of a Champions League place.

They also finished fourth in the 2012-13 seasons, although the two following seasons were not as successful.

Although Southampton finished 6th in last season's Premier League, Puel faces a challenging summer and 2016-17 season with Victor Wanyama (Tottenham) and Sadio Mane (Liverpool) having departed already since the end of last season.

But on the plus side, Saints have previously absorbed managerial and player departures quite well since they returned to the Premier League in 2012. 

Puel is setting his sights high in any case with the challenge of Europa League football to come.

"I hope that it's a possibility in the future for Southampton to play in the Champions League, but it's important to improve with these players. They know the high level with the Europa League and I hope with the Champions League for the future," he told the club website.

 

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