After a tough but successful first season in English football with the Saints, Claude Puel could be leaving already with a move to Ligue 1 side Saint-Etienne on the cards.
Despite reaching the EFL Cup final and an eighth-place Premier League finish, with the added extra games and traveling due to the Europa League campaign, many Saints fans are still calling for the French managers head.
In recent weeks Puel has been rumored with a move out of the club and is reportedly having a review meeting with the board during the next week which will ultimately decide his fate.
According to French papers L’Equipe and Le Progres, Claude Puel is in talks with Saint-Etienne about a potential move there following the announcement of the departure of manager Cristophe Galtier at the end of the season after eight years at the helm of the club.
ASSE managed a final position of eighth in Ligue 1, while also making it to the Round of 16 in the Europa League, before being knocked out in the Round of 16 by eventual winners, Manchester United. A season of a similar caliber to Saints; good, however not the quality of previous seasons.
A decision on who will become the next Saint-Etienne boss is due on Monday 5 June and it is currently a two horse race between the Saints boss and former Leicester City manager, Claudio Ranieri.
Mercato : Les dirigeants stéphanois ont rencontré Claude #Puel, Claudio #Ranieri... Décision ne sera pas prise avant 5 juin.
— Bertrand Latour (@LatourBertrand) May 27, 2017
However, when asked about his future the Frenchman couldn’t understand the speculation over his future.
"“I think it’s strange because someone asked me about speculation and all of the questions about how I will improve the club. It’s strange, it’s not a question of being proud of my work, with my staff it’s good to develop young players for the future.“I hope for Southampton that we will see this for next season but of course it will be interesting to continue this work because I think it’s important to improve. For me, it’s important that every time we have honesty with the club and the fans."
These quotes look like the board and senior management hadn’t discussed his future at the time, while if the rumors continue he may not want to stay.