Southampton hires Claude Puel as manager

Claude Puel. (Francois Mori/AP)

SOUTHAMPTON, England — Southampton has hired Claude Puel as manager of the English Premier League club after being impressed with his command of French side Nice.

The 54-year-old Frenchman has agreed on a three-year contract to succeed Ronald Koeman, who quit to join Everton this month.

Puel, a former Monaco player, secured a fourth-placed finish last season for Nice before leaving.

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