Claude Puel claims he was sacked not for sporting reasons and the timing has cost him job opportunities. Arron Sanders looks at what he has said.

Claude Puel has spoken out about his dismissal as Southampton head coach, claiming the decision was not purely down to ‘sporting reasons’.

The Frenchman was relieved of his duties at the club last week, despite leading the side to a Wembley Cup Final,( although they were beaten by Man United,) and an eighth-placed finish in the League.

That was not enough to save his job though as Saints finished 15 points adrift of Everton, who finished 1 place above them in 7th and actually closer points wise to 17th position.

Claude had the following to say on his opinion of last seasons performance and his sacking.

“We had a very good year. I was able to discover different football — the fans, the players — it was really great.

“There can be misunderstandings. I think that my departure is for a little bit more than sporting reasons.”

Puel’s claims back up reports of training ground arguments with his players back in May, as his tactics came under fire from supporters at St Mary’s.

The Frenchman is unsure on his next managerial position but hopes it is somewhere he is appreciated, although he claims he enjoyed his time in England.

Puel's comments seem to back up other reports that he had serious interest from Ligue 1 sides in his services, With Saint Etienne and Nantes both linked with moves.

However the lateness in the decision to sack him, has cost him these opportunities with those vacancies now filled.

This compiled with the dignified farewell statement to the club and its supporters, really makes you feel sorry for the man and I hope he finds a position that suits him in the near future.

What do you think, where Saints slow in Sacking Puel ? Did it scupper his chances of a job in France ?

Photo: Action Images

arfurdent added 09:11 - Jun 20 who cares
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Cjay80 added 09:49 - Jun 20 I doubt the board would have refused him permission to speak to either club.
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Sanguin added 10:19 - Jun 20 I think the delay was because they wanted to see if he would take another job elsewhere. But I think Puel refused because he wanted to be sacked and take compensation as a matter of principle; he feels he did what was asked of him. If this is the case, then despite Puel cutting off his nose to spite his face, I admire it.
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legod7 added 10:29 - Jun 20 Not scoring any goals in the last six home games of a season is enough to get any manager the sack whatever team it is and whatever division the team is in.
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SaintPaulVW added 10:31 - Jun 20 He would have got a pretty good payoff. Given the way managers come and go, he'll be back in work soon. More concerned about something getting sorted for us soon, hopefully in the next week before training starts again.
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michaeljoycetf added 10:41 - Jun 20 I feel just a little sorry for Puel. We all know about our lack of goals and style of play. I believe that, given time he would have got it right. H was unfairly treated by the club and by a mindless section of the crowd, who, by their insulting behaviour contributed to his sacking.What I witnessed went beyond constructive criticism to downright abuse and did nothing to build the confidence of the players. Hes gone now but we treated him badly.

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saintpp added 12:37 - Jun 20 I agree michaeljoycetf the whole thing makes me ashamed to be a saints fan for the first time in my life. The small but vocal section who wanted him out from day one spent most of the season trying in influence others instead of backing the team.This to a certain extent created the poor form at st marys causing lack of confidence and nervous players needing fans behind them.A self fullfilling prophecy. The relegation they all predicted never happened so they used lack of entertainment as a stick to beat him with.They never sang his name at wembley which was disgracefull whilst ignoring anything positive and focusing on the negatives. Also refusing to accept that the football may well have got better next season as it did under Pochy and RK in their second seasons. These fans have got what they wanted and im sure he wouldnt have been sacked had the fans stuck with him,the protests at final home game was last straw..leaving the club little choice but to sack him. The spoilt fans abuisng him really deserve a relegation battle next season then they will have plenty to moan about.

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bstokesaint added 13:06 - Jun 20 We acted badly and now we look to be paying the consequences. After last summer this one was all about making amends for bad judgment. Yet here we are again managerless, with a number of names we are linked to (admittedly by the press and fans) ruling themselves out of the equation or taking positions elsewhere. All I can hope is that the board behind the scenes have located a couple of very credible candidates that we don’t know about and are capable of taking this club forward, as well as keeping the majority of this squad together and unified. I still think that the Puel sacking might have been too premature. I just really hope I’m wrong.

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oldman65 added 13:32 - Jun 20 Yes I feel sorry for Puel ,and for you so called saints fans still being nasty to him should be ashamed of you selves you have got you way so be happy with that . All that I hope that we so not struggle next season ,if we do I hope all you Puel haters will have the guts to say you were wrong . A song springs to mind( who's sorry now.)
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SanMarco added 15:12 - Jun 20 Yes - this does leave a bad taste in the mouth but you don't have to be a 'hater' to feel that on balance this was the right decision. If his successor is treated in the same way re transfers then there is no guarantee he will do any better of course. I suppose if home 0-0s become 4-5 defeats we will have an interesting 'entertainment' question on our hands...
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