Optimistic Claude Puel relishing the challenge at Leicester City
An optimistic Claude Puel is relishing the challenge that the end of the season is posing for Leicester City as they eye the UEFA Europa League despite a tough start to the season.
The Foxes began their Premier League campaign in terrible fashion under Craig Shakespeare, who, having won his first five games in charge just months back, endured a tough time after his permanent appointment as the manager.
After going six games without a win, the Englishman was finally sacked in October following a 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion. In came Claude Puel, and things quickly turned around for Leicester City.
Since taking over the reins, the former Southampton boss hasn’t just produced the results, but also changed the way Leicester play, constructing a proper team out of them. Puel now wants to make sure that his side don’t lose the momentum, and keep going the same way till the very end of the season.
"“We have this opportunity to finish strongly this season which is fantastic because in October it was difficult to imagine this possibility,” said Puel.“We know Leicester started the season with some difficulties and it has taken some successes to get back into the top half of the table.“I just think we need to keep our focus and desire to try to be together for the rest of the games because we know there is a chance of a European campaign.“We will see but a lot of other teams want the same opportunity and other teams want to secure their place in the Premier League.“So it will be a tough challenge and very exciting. I think there is a good opportunity for us this season to try to finish strongly in the league.”"
The Premier League this time around has been more competitive than it has been in the previous seasons, at least as far as positions below that of Manchester City are concerned. The competition means that Leicester City may finish as high as fifth, or may even fall out of the top ten because of how tight it currently is.
Claude Puel, however, is remaining focused and wants to make sure that at least the eighth position is secured while insisting that the main aim for the season is to try and catch seventh-placed Burnley and be in Europe in 2017/18 – but it won’t be that easy.
"“We have kept eighth position for a long time but it’s difficult to maintain because it’s close between all of the other clubs,” he said.“It’s important now to defend this position and try to catch Burnley. It will be a tough challenge because they have played well and they have had consistency since the beginning of the season, so time will tell."
Next: Leicester City boss Claude Puel not thinking about the Burnley clash yet
"“But it’s a good challenge for us and after all of the difficulties at the beginning of the season, it’s a good thing for the squad, and for everyone and it’s a normal ambition for Leicester.“We will see if we can have success on this journey.”"