Despite leading Southampton to a League Cup final and an eighth place finish in the 2016/17 Premier League season, Claude Puel was eventually given the chop by his superiors at St. Mary’s.
With the Frenchman having been relieved of his managerial duties, Southampton decided to appoint former Liverpool defender Mauricio Pellegrino as his successor, a move that delighted supporters.
Similar manager to Poch who nobody had heard of also trust us on this. Got a good feeling.
— Matt Hayden (@mhayden2206) June 23, 2017
Get in there #saintsfc what a signing! Welcome #SaintPellegrino
— Sazzle Dazzle (@sawaward) June 23, 2017
Perfect! pic.twitter.com/eexqWX07WQ
— Antony Burdett-Clark (@lightboxstudios) June 23, 2017
https://twitter.com/MJTownend83/status/878517586853588992
Gotta be better than Puel?!
— PS (@saintstevo85) June 24, 2017
Won/Drew 150 out of 200 games managed. I'll take it!
— Max (@Max_Shine) June 23, 2017
Get in, great choice. Onwards and upwards #saintsfc
— Mike Dudley (@MDudz2) June 23, 2017
Brilliant news! Look forward to the new season
— TᖇᑌᗪEE (@Trudeestweets) June 23, 2017
However, Pellegrino would go on to share the same fate as Puel after he was dismissed last December, leaving Southampton fans contemplating on whether the sacking of the 46-year-old’s predecessor was the correct decision.
While performances were not the most exciting — especially considering what Saints fans had been used to seeing under previous bosses Ronald Koeman and Mauricio Pochettino, the club were still able to pick up points.
In contrast, under Pellegrino, not only was the football dreadful but so too were the results.
Consequently, Pellegrino was given the sack and, ultimately, the decision to hire him at the expense of Puel looks to be one of the biggest mistakes made in the Premier League over the last few years.
Mark Hughes now finds himself in the St. Mary’s dugout and saved the club from relegation last season after succeeding Pellegrino but, much like under the current Leganes manager, the football is hardly eye-catching — although results are much better.
With all of that in mind, the desire from Southampton supporters to see Puel given the boot and Pellegrino named as his replacement now looks incredibly foolish.
