Southampton has announced the appointment of Claude Puel as the new head coach pf the club.

The 54-year-old agreed to join the Saints on a three-year contract and will meet up with the first team when training resume on July 1.

The French coach will be joined at Southampton by Eric Black, who has been appointed assistant first team manager, and Pascal Plancque will become the club’s first team assistant coach, reports the Southampton website.

Before making the switch to the Premier League, Puel enjoyed a successful spell with OGC Nice in France, guiding Les Aiglons to a fourth-placed finish in the Ligue 1 last season.

Southampton’s Executive Director of Football Les Reed insists that the Saints have found the right coach for the club and has the best coaching team to support the squad.

‘As the process eliminated a number of excellent candidates, Claude clearly came out on top of a very impressive shortlist. We have not only got the best man but the right coaching team to support him,’ Reed said.

During the 2015-16 season, the Saints managed to finished sixth place on the Premier league table and securing a place in the Europa League for the upcoming season.

‘Claude has a fantastic platform to work from and is aware that our ambition is to repeat and improve on our performances in the Premier League over the past three seasons.

‘Claude has a track record of improving the situations he has been presented with and we are confident he can repeat this at Southampton,’ he added.

In 2010 the 54-year-old helped Olympique Lyonnais to their first ever Champions League semi-final.

‘His Champions League and European experience will be valuable in our Europa League challenge this coming season and with the support of our excellent staff at the club, I am sure he will do well.’

The Frenchmen guided Monaco to the Ligue 1 title in 2000 and spent six seasons with Lille before joining Olympique Lyonnais in 2008.

Image: Southampton website