Puel's track record with youth a key factor for Reed

Les Reed says that Claude Puel's track record of developing young players was a key reason for the Frenchman being appointed as the new Saints boss.

During his spells at Monaco, Lille, Lyon and Nice, Puel helped develop many young players. including Eden Hazard and Alexandre Lacazette, which fits with Southampton's philosophy of developing academy players.

Under Ronald Koeman, youth players weren't given as much of a chance as they were under previous Saints managers. Executive Director of Football Les Reed says that appointing a management team of Puel, as well as former Aston Villa caretaker boss Eric Black and Pascal Plancque, that had a track record of developing young players was key for them.

He said: "Eric Black has an excellent pedigree as a coach and vast experience domestically and internationally. Pascal Plancque has an excellent record as a technical coach and, like Claude, has been responsible for developing many young French talents into top quality players.