Leicester City has appointed Claude Puel as their new manager on a contract that would elapse in 2020.
The former Southampton manager would take over from Micheal Appleton who worked in the interim after the sack of Craig Shakespeare.
Puel had last season led Southampton to the Carling Cup final where he lost to Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United. He got the boot however in June even though the team placed eighth at season end.
In a statement on Leicester’s official website, Puel said: “It’s a great privilege to become the new manager of Leicester City – a club whose 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.”
Puel, winner of the Ligue 1 title with Monaco in 2000 has also managed Lille, Lyon and Nice; credentials which probably aided him in beating off competition from other managers including Manuel Pellegrini and Ryan Giggs.
Appleton’s fate was also decided as the club confirmed that he would be staying on as an assistant manager. Appleton gave a good account of himself while asked to hold the fort; winning the two games he took charge of.
