Claude Puel ignoring speculation over Southampton future

By Stephen Turner

Image: Claude Puel signed a three-year Southampton deal last summer

Claude Puel says his focus is on Southampton's remaining games and not on speculation he is about to lose his job.

A report in the Independent last week claimed Saints had sounded out Hull boss Marco Silva about the possibility of replacing Puel after just one season.

The Frenchman took his side to the EFL Cup final in February and will secure an eighth-placed finish in the Premier League if they win their final two games, although that would still leave them 12 points and two places worse off than last year.

Puel signed a three-year deal last summer, and ahead of Wednesday's meeting with Manchester United, live on Sky Sports, he said: "I cannot be distracted about the speculation.

"The most important thing is to think about finishing strong in the Premier League. After that, I cannot make comments about speculation.

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"I'm on contract, a three-year contract, with a project. I am happy here, with the directors, the staff and the players but the most important to continue to improve.

"There's no need to give assurances because it matters about what is on the pitch with the quality. It's the second youngest team in the table and we continue to improve for the future."

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United beat Saints at Wembley back in February, but Jose Mourinho is again likely to rest players with next week's Europa League final in mind.

Puel said: "This team has great players and a strong squad. For example, Ander Herrera, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Paul Pogba, and Marcus Rashford can all play against us because they were rested for the last game.

"In any game, they have a strong team and it will a difficult game against Manchester United and they will play with a good intensity and try and take points off us."

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