Leicester City have confirmed the appointment of Claude Puel as new manager following Craig Shakespeare’s sacking last week.
Shakespeare was relieved of his duties with the Foxes struggling for form despite a bright start to his first team managerial career at the King Power Stadium as Claudio Ranieri's replacement earlier in the year.
Puel was dismissed as Southampton manager over the summer after a solitary season in charge of the south coast side.
“Leicester City are delighted to announce the appointment of Claude Puel as the Club’s new First Team Manager,” a statement read on the club’s official website.
“The 56-year-old Frenchman arrives at King Power Stadium with a wealth of experience at elite levels of the game, having managed teams in France’s Ligue 1, the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. He has signed a contract to June 2020.
“The former AS Monaco, Lyon and Southampton manager will take charge of his first Leicester City fixture this coming Sunday as the Foxes host to Everton at King Power Stadium in the Premier League.
“Claude will be supported by Michael Appleton, who retains his role as Assistant Manager.
“Claude is familiar with the challenges of Premier League football, having led Southampton to an eighth-placed finish during the 2016/17 season, while managing both a UEFA Europa League campaign and a run to the EFL Cup Final against Manchester United.
“He began his managerial career with AS Monaco – the club he represented nearly 500 times in Ligue 1 as a combative midfielder – taking the reins in 1999 and winning Le Championnat a year later, adding to the two titles he won in the principality as a player.
“After 24 years with Monaco, Puel began a six-year spell with Lille, whom he guided to a highest-ever Ligue 1 finish as runners-up in 2005, followed by third place in 2006.
“That success persuaded Lyon to come calling for his services in 2008 and he continued to build his impressive reputation with a top-three finish in each of his three seasons in charge of the French giants.
“While impressing domestically, it was in the UEFA Champions League where Puel’s tactical acumen was turning heads across Europe. Having locked horns with Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United in the competition during his time at Lille, Puel steered Lyon into the semi-finals in 2010 – masterminding a 2-1 aggregate win over Real Madrid along the way.
“Immediately prior to joining Southampton, Puel was able to deliver two fourth-placed finishes in four seasons as manager of Nice, with current City midfielder Nampalys Mendy among the ranks.
“Claude will be formally introduced to the media on Friday ahead of Sunday’s visit of Everton.”
On his appointment, 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.”
