Puel spent 17 seasons as a one-club player at Monaco, where he was mentored by Arsene Wenger and eventually asked to coach the youth team, but has never worked outside of France in a managerial career that also now spans 17 years.

He previously won the French league title at Monaco, reached the Champions League semi-final with Lyon and helped develop Eden Hazard at Lille. In talks with Southampton, he has outlined a desire to stay in the long-term following three changes of manager since 2013. The deal is not yet done but, barring any late changes, Puel’s appointment on a likely three-year contract will be confirmed in the coming days.