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New Southampton manager Claude Puel has lauded the club's academy as the best in the country, while he is also impressed with the training facilities on offer at the south coast outfit.

Puel led Nice to a lofty fourth place finish in Ligue 1 last season and was a man in demand this summer.











He had offers from Bordeaux, Anderlecht and Galatasaray, but chose to head to England to take over at Southampton, succeeding Ronald Koeman.

And Puel feels the project on offer at St. Mary's suits him perfectly, with developing young players something he is looking forward to getting his teeth into.





"They are a consistent club, well managed and in surplus – with very good organisation and the best English academy", Puel told L'Equipe.

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"The team work with players brought in and home grown players. They wanted a coach who can train the players and develop their project to have the best young players.

"This is the place for me."

Puel also admits that Southampton wanted to appoint a new manager with experience of leading a team in European competition.

"They wanted a coach who has experience in Europe, with matches every three days. They thought I fitted the bill."

The Frenchman, who was approached by West Brom when Roy Hodgson left to take over at England, also lauded the "incredible" training facilities the Saints have on offer.

"I'm still in a hotel, but I hope to find something quickly. We resumed training on Friday – I have not even had time to discover the centre of the town, but it seems it's nice", Puel said.

"I spend my days at the training centre – it's incredible."

