http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football...-appoint-frenchman-claude-puel-as-new-manage/
Southampton are planning to appoint Claude Puel as their new manager this week.
The club explored a series of options following Ronald Koeman’s decision to join Everton, including Manuel Pellegrini, Rudi Garcia, Vitor Pereira and Bournemouth's Eddie Howe, but Puel is now clear at the top of their shortlist following positive talks over the past week.Puel spent 17 seasons as a one-club player at Monaco, where he was mentored by Arsene Wenger and eventually asked to coach the youth team, but has never worked outside of France in a managerial career that also now spans 17 years.
He previously won the French league title at Monaco, reached the Champions League semi-final with Lyon and helped develop Eden Hazard at Lille. In talks with Southampton, he has outlined a desire to stay in the long-term following three changes of manager since 2013. The deal is not yet done but, barring any late changes, Puel’s appointment on a likely three-year contract will be confirmed in the coming days.