Southampton have confirmed 54-year-old Frenchman Claude Puel as their new manager ahead of the upcoming 2016-2017 season.
Dutchman Ronald Koeman left the Saints to become Everton’s new boss on June 14, and the south-coast club have taken just over a fortnight to confirm his replacement.
Puel, who played as a defensive midfielder for Monaco between 1979 and 1996, has managed the microstate’s team, Lille, Lyon and, most recently, Nice.
The Castres-born manager has agreed a three-year contract with Southampton, and will take charge ahead of the first-team’s return to training on July 1.
Puel will be joined at Southampton by Eric Black, who has been appointed assistant first team manager, and Pascal Plancque, who will become the club’s first team assistant coach.
Dave Watson has signed a new deal with the club to remain as part of Puel’s backroom staff, while Sammy Lee has departed.
Puel makes the switch to the Premier League following a successful spell with Nice, in which he guided Les Aiglons to a fourth-placed finish last season in Ligue 1.
Saints’ executive director of football, Les Reed has said: ‘The process to appoint a new first team manager has been diligent and meticulous.
#SaintsFC confirms the appointment of Claude Puel as its First Team Manager on a three-year deal! #SaintClaude https://t.co/BuWjQIqljf
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) June 30, 2016
