Claude Puel is reportedly one of the many managers Porto are considering to sign for next season.
After sacking manager Nuno Espírito Santo, the club now want to have the new boss appointed by next week, according to newspaper A Bola.
Southampton’s Puel would be in a list which also includes Paulo Sousa, Marco Silva, Sérgio Conceição, Pedro Martins, and Claudio Ranieri.
The Frenchman has been pointed out as a possibility since he managed Lille. Now as it’s claimed he’s leaving Southampton, A Bola says that Porto could use his ‘strong leadership spirit’.
But the newspaper doesn’t seem to know how the negotiations are going or who’s in pole position for the job. All the names in the list seem to have equal chances, even 
though the Portuguese managers still look stronger in the race.
One thing is for sure: whoever takes this job will have a hard task ahead. Porto haven’t won the league since 2013 and will try to stop Benfica from getting their fifth consecutive title at all costs. It’s work under a lot of pressure, undoubtedly much more than at Southampton, Hull City and other English sides.
Saying that, Puel may feel he’s received rather too much grief this season, having got Southampton to 8th, following the club once again some of its best players.
