After just a year in charge to the club, Southampton are reportedly planning to sack Claude Puel as manager.
According to The Sun, the 55-year-old is currently negotiating a compensation package with the club. He signed a three-year deal just last summer after joining from Ligue 1 side Nice.
Southampton finished eighth in the Premier League this season, though they were closer to the relegation zone in terms of points than to Everton above them in seventh. They also reached the final of the League Cup, losing 3-2 to Man Utd.
The Frenchman's negative tactics are apparently the root of Southampton's desire to remove Puel from his position and install a new manager. He is also said to have alienated Shane Long and Dusan Tadic, two players crucial to the club's sixth place finish under Ronald Koeman the previous season.
Puel's sacking would certainly make Shane Long's future even more uncertain. Puel said recently that he would be making a decision on Long's time a the club at the end of the season. At the time, it appeared the Tipperary man would be on his way out of St. Mary's.
Thomas Tuchel, recently sacked from his job as Borussia Dortmund manager, is called the 'dream target'.
It had been hoped that Puel would save Southampton the cost of compensation by choosing to joining St. Etienne. However, Puel chose not pursue the role.
