According to an emerging report from The Telegraph, Southampton are all but ready to end the long-winded managerial saga at the club by appointing Claude Puel as their new boss.
The Frenchman has been sounded out in the recent days and, after weighing up their options, the Southampton board have come to a conclusion that Puel is the best man for the job on the south coast.
The 52-year-old did an outstanding job with Nice last season, leading them to an impressive fourth place finish in Ligue 1 and helping them to secure Europa League football ahead of the upcoming campaign.
But now, Puel is looking for a new challenge and it looks as though Southampton is his next destination.
The likes of Manuel Pellegrini and Rudi Garcia are also believed to have been considered for the job but, after plenty of discussion and consideration, it has been decided that Claude Puel is to be the next Saints boss.
The board are said to be particularly impressed with how Puel promotes an attractive brand of football and is more than willing to utilise the resources he has at his disposal, through the youth system.
The Telegraph believe that Puel is set to be appointed at some time this week after he reportedly outlined a desire to stay with the club in the long-term.
