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It’s fair to say Claude Puel wasn’t the most popular of figures to have graced the touchline at St. Mary’s as Southampton coach with swathes of Saints fans baying for the Frenchman’s blood at the end of the 2016/17 Premier League campaign.
Mauricio Pellegrino is the man tasked with replacing Puel following a successful season with Spanish side Alaves. It’s early days, but we took to Twitter to poll Saints fans to see what they’re think of the man now trusted to take Southampton forward.
Pellegrino approval rating: how are you feeling one match into the season? #SaintsFC
— St. Mary's Musings (@StMarysMusings) August 13, 2017
As of writing with about an hour of polling left to go, Pellegrino has an approval rating of 64%, with 3% saying they were not in favour of the Argentine, and the other 33% still undecided—unsurprising, given we’re only one match into the new Premier League season.
Some interesting comments include:
“I thought we played with more intent. Although, I’m not sure endless crosses aimed at Gabbiadini and James Ward-Prowse will reap goals.” — @gregvul
“It's his job to order the team, get them into the final 1/3. Did exactly that and players couldn't finish to take a deserved lead. Very good.” — @JoeJJacques
“Tactics were slightly wrong—should have two up front or at least play 4-4-1-1. The team look up for it, but they need to know how to break down these teams.” — @Cookson5Ed
“We played really well. Unfortunately, it doesn't matter if you play positive of negative football, if you can't score, you don't win games.” — @J_Frankling
To that last comment, hear, hear!
For context's sake, what was your thoughts on Claude Puel by the end of his tenure? #SaintsFC
— St. Mary's Musings (@StMarysMusings) August 13, 2017
For the sake of context, St. Mary’s Musings put up a poll asking what they thought about Puel’s reign as coach. Interestingly, 35% of those polled were still undecided about Puel after a whole season—proving how difficult it can be for a manager to make his mark on a team within a year. Though, 58% polled said they were not in favour of Puel and only 7% said they approved of the Frenchman being Southampton manager—numbers which appear to be accurate, given the hostility directed at Puel from the stands at St. Mary’s last season.
So, overall, the appointment of Pellegrino appears to be a popular choice so far. We’ll track his approval rating each gameweek to see how he gets on coaching Southampton.
Mauricio Pellegrino Approval Rating for Gameweek 1: 64%