2016-17 Barclays Premier League - Southampton Name Claude Puel As New Coach Thursday June 30,2016

Southampton on Thursday June 30,2016 named Frenchman Claude Puel as their new coach on a three-year deal.

The 54-year-old former Monaco and Nice boss replaces Ronald Koeman, who left for English Premier League rivals Everton earlier this summer.

Former Aston Villa coach Eric Black has been named as Puel's assistant.

"Claude clearly came out on top of a very impressive shortlist. We have not only got the best man, but the right coaching team to support him," said Southampton's executive director of football Les Reed.

"Eric Black has an excellent pedigree as a coach and vast experience domestically and internationally. Pascal Plancque has an excellent record as a technical coach and, like Claude, has been responsible for developing many young French talents into top quality players.

"Claude has a fantastic platform to work from and is aware that our ambition is to repeat and improve on our performances in the Premier League over the past three seasons.

"Claude has a track record of improving the situations he has been presented with and we are confident he can repeat this at Southampton."

Claude Puel, who played more than 500 games for Monaco, famously took the Principality club to the 2004 Champions League final, while last season he guided Nice to fourth in France.