Respected French journalist Thierry Marchand claims that former Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel is set to become the new boss of Southampton replacing Claude Puel.

Marchand has made these claims on L’Equipe du Soir TV and several English media outlets have picked them up including The Express.

He stated that his knowledge of the situation was that Tuchel is in pole position, but you may ask how Marchand would know anything about the situation, the fact that the source is from France may suggest that he may have a little insider knowledge.

With Claude Puel linked with a move to Saint-Etienne it is reasonable to assume that Marchand may have been doing his homework and could possibly have spoken to Puel himself about the situation at the moment.

It is a brave claim to make and a journalist with Marchand's reputation would not make such statements without some sort of substance.

Rumours from St Mary's are suggesting that something may happen very quickly this week although the deal does not seem to have been tied up yet.

Photo: Action Images

highfield49 added 11:18 - May 31 This story is completely true. The stumbling block appears to be that Tuchel isn´t keen on Black being appointed as his assistant.
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schatfield added 12:42 - May 31 how do u know this highfield49? (understandable about Black...)
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highfield49 added 13:48 - May 31 My point made schatfield, the media print anything and it becomes instantly believable.
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SonicBoom added 13:52 - May 31 Are any journo's "respected"? In this country if this came from Sam Cunningham, or Martin Samuel etc the last thing we'd think is that they would only say it if it was true because they worry about their reputation.
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DPeps added 15:23 - May 31 I hope the issue gets quickly resolved one way or the other. I can't take much more wild speculation
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dixiefrog added 15:39 - May 31 If Blacks the obstacle, then for feck safe get rid of him and someone get on the phone to Sammy.
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SanMarco added 15:43 - May 31 I think highfield made it up to make a point about journalists Dixie. I hope it is true (about Tuchel that is)
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BaselSaint added 15:49 - May 31 I thought Black and Puel traveled as a pair. Why would Black stay?
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TimSaint added 16:27 - May 31 Tuchel doesn't need Black. He definitely speaks great English - probably better than Black's !!
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dixiefrog added 16:33 - May 31 Thanks SanMarco I'm also hopeful about Tuchel and assume (if he's appointed) he would bring in his own team. Sammy I feel will always follow Big Fat Sam so maybe we'll see them both again in the future, there's always the blue vacancy on the south coast to fill. In fact it's the perfect match for the conniving, lying, cheating, crock, he should feel right at home.
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Whiteknight added 17:58 - May 31 He did a good job with Mainz, who are not dissimilar to Saints so in my view would be an upgrade. We should only get someone in who is an upgrade and I think Tuchel could be well suited to Saints. I also think it would be a good fit with both Kat (German heritage) and Kruger (German), which may be interesting if the Lander deal does not come off.
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