FILE - This is a Tuesday, March 15, 2011 file photo of the then coach of Lyon Claude Puel as he gestures during a press conference in Madrid. English Premier League team Southampton Thursday June 30, 2016 hired Claude Puel as managerafter being impressed by his command of French side Nice. (AP Photo/Arturo Rodriguez, File) (The Associated Press)
SOUTHAMPTON, England – Southampton has hired Claude Puel as manager of the Premier League club after being impressed by his command of French side Nice.
The 54 year-old Frenchman arrives at the south-coast English club on a three-year contract as the successor to Ronald Koeman, who joined Everton earlier this month.
Puel led Nice to a fourth-place finish in the French league last month before unexpectedly leaving after four seasons. Puel also coached Monaco, Lille and Lyon in the French league.
Southampton executive director of football Les Reed says "Claude clearly came out on top of a very impressive shortlist."
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