According to The Daily Telegraph Saints are near to appointing Claude Puel as manager, with an announcement expected by the middle of the week.
As I said in an earlier article, when Jeremy Wilson of the Daily Telegraph writes something about Saints there is usually some substance in it, there fore it is interesting to note that Wilson has again written a piece on the likely new Saints manager so soon after his previous article.
Wilson once again confirms that Saints had explored a number of options including many of the names that had featured high in the betting stakes, but further talks with Puel over the past few days have strengthened their opinion that he is the man for the job.
Saints have taken their time in making the appointment and I still think that they are hedging a little with Unai Emery still not taking over at PSG, but I would expect Puel o be announced by Wednesday.
Puel looks one of the best qualified candidates with the only real issue being his lack of experience outside of France, having spent all his career there as both player and manager.
Puel though emphasised that he sees moving to Saints as a long term move and that has been a factor in the club's thinking, add other ticks in the boxes and just about the only thing againsy hm was that lack of experience outside of his home country, however Mauriciao Pochettino had never managed outside of Spain and he has done well in this country.
The hope is that Puel will be unveiled on or before Wednesday meaning he can meet the players not involved with the Euros who are returning to Staplewood for the day for preliminary fitness tests.
One think Pule will not be though is the cheap option, he has considerable experience at the standards and levels that Saints require, that incudes winning the French League with Monaco, as well as extensive experience leading not only Monaco but his other three managerial charges Lille, Lyon & Nice to European qualification and subsequent campaigns.
Indeed Nice finished 4th in the season just gone and only missed out on the Champions League by 2 points and could potentially meet Saints in the Europa League.
Puel at 54 is at an age where he can combine experience whilst still being relatively young, he might not be a familiar name to Saints fans, but he as all the qualifications.