Leicester to name Claude Puel as new manager after former Southampton boss holds talks with Foxes chiefs to replace Craig Shakespeare


LEICESTER are expected to unveil Claude Puel as their new boss today.

The Frenchman, who was axed by Southampton at the end of last season, held talks with Foxes chiefs yesterday.

Claude Puel is poised for a quick return to the Prem with lowly Leicester
Claude Puel is poised for a quick return to the Prem with lowly Leicester
PA

Leicester, who beat Leeds 3-1 last night in the Carabao Cup, have been hunting a new manager since sacking Craig Shakespeare.

And Puel, 56, is seen as the ideal man to sort out the Foxes after leading Saints to eighth last term.

His appointment would be a blow to contenders like Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs, who has admitted he is “interested” in bossing either Leicester or their managerless rivals Everton.

Manuel Pellegrini, who took Manchester City to the 2014 Prem title, was a frontrunner.

Islam Slimani celebrates bagging the second Leicester goal against Leeds with opening scorer Kelechi Iheanacho in a 3-1 Carabao Cup last-16 victory
Islam Slimani celebrates bagging the second Leicester City goal against Leeds with opening scorer Kelechi Iheanacho in a 3-1 Carabao Cup last-16 victory
Reuters
Craig Shakespeare was axed as boss by the Foxes after a dire start to the season
Craig Shakespeare was axed as boss by the Foxes after a dire start to the season
PA:Press Association

Three current top-flight bosses have also been linked with the job – Burnley’s Sean Dyche, Marco Silva of Watford and the Huddersfield head coach David Wagner.

Caretaker-chief Michael Appleton led Leicester to only their second Premier League win of the season, 2-1 at Swansea on Saturday, as they moved out of the drop zone.


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And the ex-Blackburn chief said afterwards he hoped to “be given a chance” to revert to assistant boss when a permanent manager was found.

Then Appleton guided the Foxes to an impressive passage into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday evening.

Michael Appleton has been caretaker boss at the King Power Stadium
Michael Appleton has done a fine job as the Foxes’ caretaker boss
Rex Features
Claude Puel was sacked by Southampton despite finishing eighth last season
Claude Puel was sacked by Southampton despite finishing eighth last season
PA:Press Association

Kelechi Iheanacho’s first goal since his £25million switch from Manchester City cancelled out Pablo Hernandez’s superb long-range opener for Leeds.

Islam Slimani and substitute Riyad Mahrez clinched victory in the last 19 minutes.


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