Puel takes charge at Leicester City after Shakespeare’s sacking
Leicester City have appointed ex-Southampton boss Claude Puel as their new manager on a three-year deal.
The Frenchman replaces Craig Shakespeare who was sacked just four months after signing permanently on a three-year deal.
The Foxes currently sit 14th in the Premier League table having won just two of their last nine games – a far cry from where they were just two seasons ago under Claudio Ranieri’s leadership.
Many fans thought Shakespeare’s sacking came prematurely and that he could have been given more time to turn things around but in modern-day football, loyalty is hard to come by and the role of a football manager has got to be one of the least secure jobs in the world.
Leicester City vice-chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said 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 added.
"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."
But what can Foxes fans expect from their new manager?
In Puel’s first season in charge at Southampton, they finished eighth in the Premier League and enjoyed a trip to Wembley as they reached the EFL Cup final but was sacked at the end of last season after winning just one of his final eight league matches.
Puel enjoys a defensive style of play which could be something Leicester need at this moment in time as defensive errors have cost them vital points already this season.
Of course, they need to score goals as well but with the right service players like Vardy, Iheanacho and Slimani will score.
Puel said it was "a great privilege" to take over at Leicester, adding that the club's "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."
City’s run in the Premier League has been a complete rollercoaster ride – they went from battling relegation to being crowned champions of England and are now struggling in the bottom third of the table again.
What City need now is some stability bringing to the King Power and Foxes fans will be hoping Puel can be the man to do that.
If the new manager can bring back half the solidarity Leicester showed during their title-winning season, they should be safe and that’s all they need right now.
