The name Claude Puel might not mean much to many people, but his odds have shortened dramatically over the last few hours.

Yesterday I mentioned that there was a third un named foreign coach who was on Saints final short list to replace Ronald Koeman, now it seems that this man could be Claude Puel formerly in charge of Nice in France

Puel has suddenly shot from nowhere to 3rd behind Rudi Garcia who remains the bookies favourite and Frank De Boer who is probably the fans choice.

Puel spent his entire playing career at Monaco where he became something of a protegy of Arsene Wenger before taking over as manager of the team after a couple of years running the reserve side.

He has since managed Lille, Lyon and Nice from whom he resigned in May after four years in charge, his final season saw Nice finish 4th in the French League missing out on the Champions League by just two points ironically to Monaco.

He was held in high regard at Nice who seem to, like Saints have a strategy based on more than just throwing money at a problem, a statement on their website after his departure read.

"Our common history ends today with deep respect, and with job satisfaction. We lived four seasons of intense emotions, and took considerable pleasure to jointly develop the sports project requiring OGC Nice.

"We are so grateful for each other, this great human and sporting adventure that began in 2012.

"While a page is turned, the direction of OGC Nice and Claude Puel, true to their ambitions, wish the best for the future."

Fine words that seem to have lost little in translation.

On the face of it he seems to have many of the values that Saints are looking for in a manager and like Saints he took Nice to Europa League qualification at the group stage and he has other experience in Europe..

On the down side is the fact that his experience is purely in France and that could count against him when comparing the CV's of the other two on the list.

Photo: Action Images

Fordy added 12:28 - Jun 17 Oh dear. Sounds a bit like Remi Garde.
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SanMarco added 12:28 - Jun 17 No - I want one of the other two. Garcia's Roma achievements are impressive in my book but de Boer would have more 'name recognition' and clout in the transfer market. Either one would be good for me.
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law101 added 12:40 - Jun 17 What about Remi Garde? He was brilliant in France...
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bstokesaint added 12:49 - Jun 17 But carp in the Premiership, which coincidentally is where we play! I'd be happy with De Boer or Garcia. I think the former may carry a little more respect from the players, but be a shorter term option. To me Puel sounds like a cheaper, more risky option. I wouldn't want to be the board right now. Tough decision in my opinion.
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StRipper added 13:23 - Jun 17 He was in charge before Garcia took over. Ok record if unspectacular. Can't see this happening and hardly looks like the young, ambitious and progressive coach we would aspire to. I'd say more a Gérard Houllier than a Remy Garde.
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Jesus_02 added 13:54 - Jun 17 We relied on Koemans knowledge of the dutch league for two seasons so I have always expected us to move on to get someone from a different league. We will probably take the opportunity to switch hunting grounds so DeBoer seems unlikely. This to this guy sounds like a realistic option however Garcia has more experience and has shown that can travel well. For me he is the most likely

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squidofdespair added 14:39 - Jun 17 Dear Nicky. It looks like yo have sh1t out big time and stopped writing paragraphs.
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Lazz added 15:09 - Jun 17 Ronald Koeman says he told Saints he wanted to stay at the club for the final year of his contract but opted to move to Everton after being informed it was “not possible” for him to do so without signing a new deal. Koeman today held his first press conference since taking over at Goodison Park, and described his version of events leading up to his move from St Mary’s. He said: “I keep it short because I think the most important always is to look forward and not to look back, not in life and not in football. “I had after the season the meeting with the board of the club, Les Reed, and the first option was to go in my last, third year of contract and that was not possible. “I said I can do that and we will what happens in my last year of contract, but there was no way was to sign a new contract and we did not agree. “Through that whole story Everton was showing that kind of interest and, ok, Southampton gave me the permission to talk to Everton and I am the new Everton manager and that is all what I like to say about Southampton. “Thanks to them, we had two fantastic seasons, thanks to the players, thanks to the staff, to the fans, but I’m in Everton now.”

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A1079 added 15:12 - Jun 17 I don't profess to know much about the French league but the comment I have heard generally is that PSG tend to win the league with ease because it is not a great league and the quality pretty poor. If that is true, and I accept it may not be, 4th does not sound anything special. It may be nothing more than a number of rumours but on the face of it, he does not sound an ideal candidate.

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SanMarco added 16:27 - Jun 17 Yes Lazz I just read that. A grenade lobbed into the debate. Club response needed.
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sidsaint added 17:45 - Jun 17 Yes Lazz and SanMarco a huge grenade. If RK was given an ultimatum then I for one take back any adverse comments I made about him, and would like to know what Les Reed and the board say in response to his statement.Anyone know the real story?
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SanMarco added 17:57 - Jun 17 Doubt we'll ever know the real story Sid. My gut tells me that Ronny Boy is giving us a carefully constructed version (he has had two weeks after all) that makes him look the innocent party - over to you Les...
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