Leicester appoint Claude Puel as new manager

Frenchman Claude Puel has been appointed as the new manager of Leicester City.

Puel replaces Craig Shakespeare who was fired last week after a 1-1 draw with West Brom.

He has previously managed Lyon and Monaco and steered Southampton to an eighth-place finish and an EFL Cup final before he was dismissed at the end of last season.

Leicester City vice-chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said Puel, whose contract will run until June 2020, was the “perfect fit” to take the club forward.

“When we began the process of identifying a new manager, the Board quickly established the profile of candidate we needed to take the Club forward and Claude Puel was a perfect fit,” Srivaddhanaprabha said.

“Upon meeting Claude, his attention to detail, knowledge of our squad, understanding of our potential and his vision to help us realise it were extremely impressive.

“He quickly emerged as the outstanding candidate and I am delighted we will have the opportunity to reinforce our long-term vision, aided significantly by his expertise.”

Puel said it was a “great privilege” to take on the role at “a club whose values and ambitions are closely aligned to my own.

“It’s a great privilege to become the new manager of Leicester City – a club whose values and ambitions are closely aligned to my own.

“The opportunity to help the Club build on its remarkable recent achievements is a truly exciting one and I’m looking forward to working with the owners, players, staff and supporters to deliver further lasting success.”

Puel will lead Leicester against Everton at King Power Stadium this weekend.