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Fox Puel 'Dull' rap

Claude Puel branded boring and dull after being announced as the new Leicester boss

Foxes fans are not impressed with the former Southampton chief's appointment with Gary Lineker tweeting his disapproval

CLAUDE PUEL has been branded “boring” and “dull” — on the day he was officially announced as Leicester’s new boss.

Southampton’s former chief last night accepted a three-year deal — thought to be worth £2million a year — to replace sacked Craig Shakespeare.

 Claude Puel's appointment as Leicester boss has been ridiculed
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Claude Puel's appointment as Leicester boss has been ridiculedCredit: PA:Empics Sport

But Foxes fans are not impressed and Saints legend Matt Le Tissier blasted: “His style of play was a little dull at times and it was pretty boring to watch, I’ve got to be honest.

"If I was a Leicester fan asking a Southampton fan for his opinion, you probably wouldn’t get a good report.

“On paper it looked like he did a pretty decent job, but if you delve deeper than that and look at the style of play . . .”

Leicester vice-chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha hailed the 56-year-old Frenchman as “the outstanding candidate” as he became the club’s third manager in a year.

 Claude Puel has been accused of not being a big enough name for Leicester
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Claude Puel has been accused of not being a big enough name for LeicesterCredit: AFP
 Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha has praised Claude Puel's ability as a manager
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Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha has praised Claude Puel's ability as a managerCredit: PA:Press Association

But speaking on talkSPORT, former England star Le Tiss added: “It was pretty defensive-minded.

“If he goes into Leicester where he has a slightly different make-up of a squad, he might play a different way. But I would be surprised.”

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Carlo Ancelotti, Manuel Pellegrini, Guus Hiddink, Thomas Tuchel, Roberto Mancini, Jurgen Klinsmann — even freshly binned Everton boss Ronald Koeman — would have been hailed as progressive moves.

Closer to home, Sean Dyche, Sam Allardyce, Chris Coleman, Michael O’Neill and Huddersfield’s David Wagner would have been welcomed with open arms and open minds, too.

 Gary Lineker tweeted his disapproval at Claude Puel's appointment
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Gary Lineker tweeted his disapproval at Claude Puel's appointmentCredit: Fame Flynet
 Former Southampton star Matt Le Tissier criticised the appointment of Claude Puel
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Former Southampton star Matt Le Tissier criticised the appointment of Claude PuelCredit: Getty - Contributor

Leicester legend Gary Lineker mocked Puel’s appointment, tweeting: “Claude Puel, really?” — although that is what he said about title-winning Claudio Ranieri’s appointment, too.

But Leicester Supporters’ Club chairman Cliff Ginetta was just as damning of the new appointment.

He said: “Puel’s reputation is not good and his appointment will not go down too well. Results are everything but we want to see attacking football because we have some good flair players. We were looking for a big name like Ancelotti or Pellegrini.

“We won the league and we’ve played in the Champions League so we should have been ambitious.”

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 Matt Le Tissier accused Claude Puel of having a boring style of play
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Matt Le Tissier accused Claude Puel of having a boring style of playCredit: PA:Press Association

Puel will take charge of Sunday’s Prem game at home to Everton after signing a deal up to June 2020 — but on less than Ranieri’s £3m a year.

Michael Appleton, who won both of his matches as caretaker boss, will remain as Puel’s No 2.

And Puel said: “It’s a great privilege to become the new manager of Leicester — a club whose values and ambitions are closely aligned to my own. The opportunity to help the club build on its remarkable recent achievements is a truly exciting one.”

Srivaddhanaprabha believes Puel — who has also managed Monaco, Lille, Lyon and Nice — will soon win over the underwhelmed Leicester supporters with his vast knowledge and experience.

Eric Bailly heads the ball straight at Southampton boss Claude Puel hitting him in the face
 Claude Puel takes over from Craig Shakespeare as Leicester manager
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Claude Puel takes over from Craig Shakespeare as Leicester managerCredit: Rex Features

He said: “The board quickly established the profile of candidate we needed to take the club forward and Claude was a perfect fit.

“His attention to detail, knowledge of our squad, understanding of our potential and his vision to help us realise it were extremely impressive.

“He quickly emerged as the outstanding candidate and I am delighted we will have the opportunity to reinforce our long-term vision, aided significantly by his expertise.”

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