Southampton manager Claude Puel has spoke of the “cultural change” in his style of play and Ronald Koeman’s during his spell at the club.

In a recent interview with L’Equipe, as reported by ESPN, Puel stated that he had to persist with his philosophy with the Saints players due to their tendency to continue following Koeman’s style.

The team had played well under Koeman by defending deep and playing on the counter-attack. As we were going to play every three days and wouldn’t be able to go up and down the pitch all game every game, I wanted to base our play on possession and control.

The now-Everton manager spent two season with Southampton and led them to two of their highest league finishes at seventh and sixth respectively in that time.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Sport

However, when he chose to join The Toffees, Saints appointed Puel and it now looks as though their decision is paying off, with the Frenchman getting the side playing some excellent football.

It was a cultural change. In training, it worked, but in matches, with the tension, the players quickly resorted to what they knew how to do. We have a lot of technical players whose game is suited to that style, others were sceptical.

Puel’s attacking, attractive style of play has earned him plenty of plaudits so far this season, with Saints currently in a run of form that has seen them go five Premier League games without a defeat.

I wanted to persist with it, they wanted results, so that took some handling.