Leicester City

Leicester City appoint former Southampton boss Claude Puel as manager

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter | 25 October 2017

Leicester City confirm the appointment of former Southampton boss Claude Puel as their new manager on a three-year deal following the departure of Craig Shakespeare.

Former Southampton boss Claude Puel has been appointed as the new manager of Leicester City on a three-year contract.

The 56-year-old has been out of work since June following his sacking at St Mary's, despite finishing eighth in the Premier League and reaching the EFL Cup final.

Puel takes over from Craig Shakespeare, who was sacked from the post a week ago, while interim boss Michael Appleton will support the Frenchman as assistant manager.

Leicester vice chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha told the official club website: "When we began the process of identifying a new manager, the board quickly established the profile of candidate we needed to take the club forward and Claude Puel was a perfect fit.

"Upon meeting Claude, his attention to detail, knowledge of our squad, understanding of our potential and his vision to help us realise it were extremely impressive. He quickly emerged as the outstanding candidate and I am delighted we will have the opportunity to reinforce our long-term vision, aided significantly by his expertise."

Puel, meanwhile, 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."

The former Monaco and Lyon manager will take charge of his first Leicester fixture on Sunday as the Foxes host Everton in the Premier League.