Rumours of Claude Puel’s Southampton sacking gather pace

Multiple media outlets are reporting that the Saints have sacked their manager after just one season at the helm.

Although nothing has been officially announced by the club themselves, several tabloids and news outlets are now claiming the 55-year-old has been relived of his duties.

Last week their was increased speculation that Puel was high up on the shortlist to take up the vacant managerial role with AS Saint-Etienne, something that could become very realistic with his job hanging on by a thread – or worse – on the south coast.

The former Nice manager has failed to win over the fans’ support this season and an eighth-placed finish was flattering to a poor season, with Saints finishing closer to Hull City in the relegation zone than they did Everton one place above them.

Having played high-tempo football under Maurcio Pochettino and Ronald Koeman, Southampton’s style was a great contrast this time around, with Puel instead setting his team up to sit deep and remain defensively disciplined at the back.

As a result of both that and his rotation policies the Saints are significantly worse off than they were last season, marking the first year of regression since they were promoted from League One.

But Puel brought with him a solid reputation managing in his native France when he joined the Saints, managing Lille for as many as six years whilst also taking Nice into the European competitions. However he has failed to translate his domestic reputation abroad, and could now be forced to return to France.

All that is needed now is official confirmation from the club themselves, something that would mark a week of turmoil with Ryan Bertrand now seemingly off to Manchester City and the club looking to probe an illegal approach for team captain Virgil van Dijk.