Leicester boss Claude Puel targeting top-half finish in Premier League
Friday 27 October 2017 17:54, UK
Claude Puel is aiming to finish in the top half of the Premier League table with Leicester, despite his new side making a slow start to the season.
The 56-year-old is back in the Premier League just 133 days after leaving Southampton, having succeeded Craig Shakespeare on a deal until June 2020 at the King Power Stadium. The Frenchman also announced Pascal Plancque will be joining his coaching staff.
Last season, Puel led Southampton to the EFL Cup final and an eighth-placed finish in the Premier League, and revealed that he wants to take Leicester into the top half of the table this campaign.
"The ambition for the moment is to keep the good spirit in the team and to keep the team dynamic," Puel said. "After that, with confidence, we can work on the details in the training sessions and get a good result against Everton.
"I can't say what position we will finish in as a team, but it's about trying to perform on the pitch and to get in the top half of the table.
"It is not a dream, it is a reality," he added. "After January or February we can see if we can do other things."
Puel has experienced success in France, winning the league with Monaco 17 years ago, and guiding Lyon to a Champions League semi-final.
When asked if he would keep Wes Morgan as club captain, Puel said: "It is not a problem for me of course, he can keep the captaincy."
Live Nissan Super Sunday
Puel faces Everton in his first encounter for Leicester, another club who have struggled this season.
David Unsworth will be in temporary control of The Toffees for the match on Sunday at the King Power Stadium, live on Sky Sports Premier League.
"I think the team (Leicester) need confidence and a little more consistency," Puel added. "This club had fantastic moments playing in the Champions League last season and perhaps low moments at the beginning of the season.
"But, it is important to find a good consistency and to put in place a style of game. However, for the moment, we need to stay focused on our game against Everton."
