Claude Puel pays to tribute to former Leicester City owner after being sacked

Claude Puel has spoken of his ‘honour’ to have been given the opportunity to manage Leicester following his sacking on Sunday.

The 57-year-old Frenchman’s 16-month reign came to end after Saturday’s 4-1 home defeat by Crystal Palace.

That was Leicester’s sixth defeat in their last seven matches, a run that has seen them knocked out of the FA Cup by Newport and drop down to 12th in the Premier League, eight points above the relegation zone.

Claude Puel was sacked as Leicester City manager on Saturday following a 4-1 home defeat

Puel said in a statement released through the League Managers Association: ‘I would like to thank everyone that I worked with at Leicester City Football Club. It was a privilege to work with the players, the staff and the management.

‘It was my honour to work for the late and much loved Khun Vichai, who gave me the fantastic opportunity to manage his club and share some great moments with him.

‘My mission at Leicester City Football Club ends here but I will continue to follow the performances of the team and wish the club all the best for the future.’

Puel was appointed in the summer of 2017 by Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and in his first season guided the Foxes to a respectable ninth place finish.

It marks the second time Puel has been dismissed from a Premier League club having also been sacked at Southampton despite leading them to an eighth place finish and a League Cup final. 

Puel paid tribute to former Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in his statement