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Leicester appoint Claude Puel: Foxes snap up ex-Southampton boss, contract details
LEICESTER have appointed former Southampton manager Claude Puel as their new boss on a three-year contract.
Leicester have appointed Claude Puel as manager
Puel said: “It’s a great privilege to become the new manager of Leicester City – a club whose values and ambitions are closely aligned to my own. The opportunity to help the Club build on its remarkable recent achievements is a truly exciting one and I’m looking forward to working with the owners, players, staff and supporters to deliver further lasting success.”
Puel, who will earn £2million a season at Leicester, was dismissed by Southampton in the summer after just one year in charge.
Leicester had been looking for a manager since sacking Craig Shakespeare last week.
Shakespeare himself had replaced Claudio Ranieri, who had masterminded the Foxes’ 2015/16 title-winning campaign.
Claude Puel was sacked by Southampton in the summer
Michael Appleton will remain as assistant manager.
Leicester vice chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said: “When we began the process of identifying a new manager, the Board quickly established the profile of candidate we needed to take the Club forward and Claude Puel was a perfect fit.
“Upon meeting Claude, his attention to detail, knowledge of our squad, understanding of our potential and his vision to help us realise it were extremely impressive. He quickly emerged as the outstanding candidate and I am delighted we will have the opportunity to reinforce our long-term vision, aided significantly by his expertise.”
Claude Puel's Southampton side drew 0-0 at Leicester last season
Leicester sacked Shakespeare with the side languishing in the lower half of the table.
The Foxes beat Swansea 2-1 at the weekend and progressed to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory over Leeds last night.
Puel, 56, only arrived in English football in the summer of 2016 after a career managing in the French league.
He joined Saints after four years with Nice but their failed Europa League campaign and lack of progress in the Premier League overshadowed the run to the EFL Cup final.
Puel will be unveiled at a press conference on Friday ahead of Saturday’s clash with Everton, who are currently without a manager.