Southampton terminate contract of manager Claude Puel
By Chris Hughes
After weeks of speculation, the Saints have confirmed today that they have parted ways with the Frenchman after just one year.
For just the second time since returning to the Premier League, Southampton Football Club have willingly parted ways with their manager.
After just one year 55-year-old Claude Puel has been removed from his position as manager of Southampton, despite guiding the side to an eighth-placed finish and the EFL Cup final.
However this campaign marked the first since the Saints’ return to the top flight in which they have regressed, with a serious lack of attacking intent displayed by the lack of goals the side scored. They went seven hours without scoring at St. Mary’s in the league for the first time since before World War II.
Poor performances and heavy rotation saw the Saints bow out of the Europa League at the group stages without scoring an away goal, something which will have heavily contributed to Puel’s sacking.
Despite finishing in the top half the south coast side were closer to Hull City in the relegation zone than they were Everton one place above them.
The Frenchman’s future had been in doubt since the end of the season and he will now be looking for fresh employment, which will most likely come in his native France.
A club statement on Southampton’s official website read as follows:
“Everyone at Southampton would like to express our thanks to Claude for his hard work and commitment this year. The highlight of the season was a memorable day at Wembley in the EFL Cup Final, a day our fans will always treasure.
We wish Claude well for the future.
The search for a new management team is underway. We are confident that we will find the right fit in line with the long term vision of the club.“