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Southampton’s Claude Puel linked with vacant Porto job

By Chris Hughes

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 21: Claude Puel, Manager of Southampton looks on prior to the Premier League match between Southampton and Stoke City at St Mary's Stadium on May 21, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 21: Claude Puel, Manager of Southampton looks on prior to the Premier League match between Southampton and Stoke City at St Mary's Stadium on May 21, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images) /
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It seems that if the Frenchman was sacked by the Saints, he wouldn’t be short of suitors with Porto among those interested in taking him on board.

For the past week or so media speculation has suggested that Porto would rival Southampton for Hull City boss Marco Silva’s signature, with the 39-year-old seemingly set to leave the Tigers this summer.

However in an interesting twist, the Portuguese giants could now instead target Southampton’s current boss, Claude Puel.

The Frenchman is set for crunch talks this week surrounding his future with the Saints, as despite an eighth-placed finish the 55-year-old has lost support of both fans and reportedly the players.

Porto are in the market for a new manager having relieved Nuno Santo of his duties in last night. The 43-year-old was just 11 months in a two-year contract with the Dragoes.

Santo’s side finished second with only two losses in the league to their name, but in a similar way to Puel’s departure in went deeper than a league position. For the resources and players available Porto went completely trophy-less for the entire campaign, something not acceptable at that level.

Porto’s coach Nuno Espirito Santo looks on from the sideline during the Portuguese league football match Moreirense FC vs FC Porto at the Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas stadium in Moreira de Conegos on May 21, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / FRANCISCO LEONG (Photo credit should read FRANCISCO LEONG/AFP/Getty Images)
Porto’s coach Nuno Espirito Santo looks on from the sideline during the Portuguese league football match Moreirense FC vs FC Porto at the Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas stadium in Moreira de Conegos on May 21, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / FRANCISCO LEONG (Photo credit should read FRANCISCO LEONG/AFP/Getty Images) /

But Puel isn’t the only candidate who could reportedly head south to the sunshine, as Claudio Ranieri – who most recently managed Leicester – is also on the reported shortlist.

The Italian was relieved of his duties after the Foxes failed to mount any defense to their title-winning season before last.

However Sky sources have suggested that Silva – who naturally has management experience in his native Portugual – is still the number one target for the side.

Porto haven’t won a league title now in four seasons and will desperate for a manager who can turn their fates around, having gambled on both domestic and foreign talents when it comes to their head coach.

With that in mind an approach for Puel may still not be out of the question, as it would offer a fresh start for the former Nice boss to re-build his reputation after a rocky first year in England.

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