We have reached the end of the season and we still have Claude Puel at the helm, despite reports claiming he would be dismissed at an end of the season review held by Les Reed and Ross Wilson.
However, reports in France recently claim Claude Puel is in a two-horse race with Claudio Ranieri for the Saint-Etienne job, with a decision due on the 5th of June. This could see Claude Puel make a swift return to France this summer.
Twitter: Mercato : Les dirigeants stéphanois ont rencontré Claude #Puel, Claudio #Ranieri… Décision ne sera pas prise avant 5 juin. (@LatourBertrand)
Les Reed would see this a good thing for him as if he was to sack him, as has been widely suggested, he would owe Puel a pay-off as he still has two years left on his contract. However, with Saint-Etienne seeking to employ him, the French side would have to give us money in compensation to secure his services to become their new manager.
If Saint-Etienne are to take Claude Puel off our hands, the deal could be great for all parties as rumours have often suggested that Puel’s wife is unsettled in Southampton and is struggling to adjust to the English way of life. So, speculatively speaking, this would be an easy move for her to accept as she could move swiftly back to home. Les Reed could get money for Claude’s services rather than paying him off as he still has a two-year contract.
But the flip-side is Claude Puel could reject the chance to return to France or miss out to Claudio Ranieri, which would leave Les Reed back to square one and leave him with the decision to either sack him or even keep him in charge for another season.
So many questions have been left unanswered as we head towards June but with a decision from Saint-Etienne due, we could soon know where the future lies for Puel and how this could impact Les Reed.
Whatever happens, We March On.
