SOUTHAMPTON HAVE ANNOUNCED Claude Puel as their new manager.
The Frenchman has agreed a three-year deal and takes over from Ronald Koeman, who left for Everton after leading them to sixth in the Premier League table.
54-year-old played his entire career at Monaco before becoming the club’s manager in 1999.
After winning the Ligue 1 title, he departed for Lille and has since spent time at Lyon and Nice.
“The process to appoint a new First Team Manager has been diligent and meticulous,” said Southampton director of football Les Reed.
“In order to ensure we appointed a manager who would meet our needs as a club, feedback from the dressing room, as well as taking account of our culture, vision and values, was critical in drawing up our criteria for the appointment.
As the process eliminated a number of excellent candidates, Claude clearly came out on top of a very impressive shortlist.”
He added: “We have an excellent group of first-team players who are keen to take another step forward. There is already a confidence and excitement in the building as some of the squad has returned for testing and they are in great shape.
“Claude has a fantastic platform to work from and is aware that our ambition is to repeat and improve on our performances in the Premier League over the past three seasons.
“Claude has a track record of improving the situations he has been presented with and we are confident he can repeat this at Southampton.
“His Champions League and European experience will be valuable in our Europa League challenge this coming season and with the support of our excellent staff at the club I am sure he will do well.”
