Southampton have a new manager and the Saints have confirmed Claude Puel will be the man in charge at St Mary's Stadium from the 2016/17 season after the Frenchman signed a three-year deal with the Premier League club.
The 54-year-old also brings Eric Black and Pascal Plancque as Assistant First Team Manager and First Team Assistant Coach respectively. Puel replaces Ronald Koeman as the Saints' manager after the Dutchman left the South Coast club for Everton earlier this summer.
"Southampton Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Claude Puel as its new First Team Manager," a statement read on Southampton's official website.
"The 54 year-old, who has agreed a three-year contract with Saints, takes charge ahead of the first team's return to training on 1st July."
Meanwhile, Puel expressed his delight after being appointment as Southampton manager. He admitted that playing games sometimes once in three days is a challenge for him.
"I am very happy to be the new manager, because it's a good opportunity and a good challenge for me to come here to Southampton – a very good club and a very good organisation," Puel told in his first interview as Southampton manager to the club's official website.
"The challenge for me, and for the club also, is to continue the good results and to play games every three days.
"It's a new thing for the club, although not for me, because I know this, but it will be important to know the particularities of this season and I think it will be important to give success and to keep the philosophy of the club also – a squad with very good technique and a team that can give pleasure for the fans."
