Claude Puel is a renowned French football manager and former player.
Puel played his entire professional career at AS Monaco, participating in 601 official matches.
He won the French Championship in 2000 while managing AS Monaco.
Biography
Early Life and Playing Career
Claude Jacques Puel, born in France, began his football journey at a young age with Castres before being scouted by AS Monaco, where he joined their training center in 1977. He made his professional debut in the 1979–80 season and dedicated his entire playing career to Monaco, amassing an impressive 601 official matches. During his tenure, Puel celebrated significant victories, including two Ligue 1 championships and three French Cups, showcasing his talent as a midfielder under the guidance of notable managers like Arsène Wenger.
Managerial Career
Transitioning from player to coach, Puel took on the role of physical trainer and later manager of Monaco's reserve team before being appointed head coach in January 1999. He led Monaco to win the French Championship in 2000. His managerial journey continued with successful stints at Lille, where he won the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2004, and Lyon, where he made history by guiding the team to the Champions League semi-finals in 2010. After leaving Lyon in 2011, he managed Nice, Southampton, and Saint-Étienne, achieving notable milestones such as reaching the EFL Cup final with Southampton in 2017.
Personal Life
Outside of football, Puel is a family man with two sons, Paulin and Grégoire, both of whom are professional footballers and played under his management at Nice. His commitment to the sport extends beyond his career, as he has nurtured the next generation of football talent within his own family.
Legacy
Puel's legacy in football is marked by his contributions both as a player and a manager. He has earned numerous honors, including multiple league titles and cup victories, solidifying his reputation in French football history.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
Puel started his football career as a youth with Castres, where he was spotted by Monaco, joining their training centre in 1977. He played his first professional game in the 1979–80 season. He spent his entire career at Monaco, playing 601 official matches in total. During his time at Monaco, he won two championships and three French Cups. He also played under compatriot Arsène Wenger who jovially recalled being on the wrong end of a sliding tackle saying "Even on the morning of a Cup final he could tackle and even if it was the manager then no problem!".
Monaco
Before being appointed as the manager of Monaco, he was the physical trainer and manager of Monaco's reserve team. He was appointed as the manager in January 1999. He won the French Championship in 2000, with players such as Ludovic Giuly and Marcelo Gallardo.
Lille
Lille were one of the winners of the 2004 UEFA Intertoto Cup, having defeated União de Leiria of Portugal 2–0 in extra time in the final after a goalless aggregate draw.
Lyon
Puel joined Lyon, the team who had won the last seven French league titles, on a four-year contract on 18 June 2008. In 2010, he helped the club reach the semi-final of the Champions League for the first time in its history. In his final game in charge in May 2011, he defeated his former club Monaco and ended their 34-year spell in the top flight. Lyon terminated his contract on 20 June 2011, although he had just finished third, as he had not won a trophy in his three seasons.
Nice
On 23 May 2012, Puel reached agreement on a three-year deal with Nice.
Southampton
On 30 June 2016, Puel was appointed the manager of Southampton on a three-year deal. On 14 June 2017, Puel's contract was "terminated with immediate effect". His sacking yielded mixed reactions. In his only season in charge, Southampton reached the League Cup final and recorded an 8th-place finish in the Premier League, albeit with 17 fewer points than his predecessor Ronald Koeman attained the season prior. Puel was…
- Club
- AS Monaco FC (1979–1996)
- Club
- France national under-21 association football team
- National team
- France
Personal
Puel has two sons and a daughter. Both of his sons, Paulin and Grégoire, are professional footballers and played under his command at Nice.
Legacy
Player
Monaco Ligue 1: 1981–82, 1987–88 Coupe de France: 1980, 1985, 1991 Trophée des Champions: 1985
Manager
Monaco
Ligue 1: 1999–2000 Trophée des Champions: 2000 Lille
UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2004 Southampton
EFL Cup runner-up: 2016–17 Saint-Étienne
Coupe de France runner-up: 2019–20 Nice
Coupe de France runner-up: 2025–26
Clubs
Played together with
- Aadil AssanaAS Monaco FC · 2011–2014
Abdelaziz Ben TifourAS Monaco FC · 1956–1958- Abdellah LiegeonAS Monaco FC · 1981–1987
- Abderrahmane BoubekeurAS Monaco FC · 1954–1958
Abdou DialloAS Monaco FC · 2014–2015- Abdou DialloFrance national under-21 association football team · 2016–2019
Abdoul CamaraFrance national under-21 association football team · 2011–2011
Abdoulaye DoucouréFrance national under-21 association football team · 2014–2014
Abdoulkader ThiamAS Monaco FC- Abel ThermeusAS Monaco FC
Abou DiabyFrance national under-21 association football team · 2006–2007
Aboubakar KamaraAS Monaco FC · 2013–2015
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Claude Jacques Puel is a French football manager and former player who was most recently the head coach of Ligue 1 club Nice.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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