Does Claude Puel deserve more credit for Leicester’s success?

Management

Claude’s style of management polarised Leicester City fans although one must not be too embittered to forget the positive aspects of his reign. Throughout his managerial career, Claude Puel has a track record of developing youth talent excellently. Leicester City fans can thank Claude for the development of first Ben Chilwell and also Harvey Barnes who are both England internationals now.

One shining moment where Claude really stood out was at the time of tragedy when Khun Vichai tragically lost his life. As the club had to try to ‘continue’ to an extent, Claude provided class and steel at the most difficult time. For many, this time won Claude many fans and plaudits.

Perhaps Claude’s biggest mistake was his attempt to transition away from Jamie Vardy, which underlined the lack of connection between him and the fans. With the benefit of hindsight, you can see why he was trying to carry this out as Vardy was in his 30’s and Claude wanted to change the style of the team. Nevertheless, Vardy is Vardy and cannot be dropped- Claude didn’t fully grasp that. The fact Jamie has continued to bang in goals since Puel’s departure says it all really.

Claude’s critics will undoubtedly say that the lack of communication between him and the players/fans was also a big problem throughout his managerial spell. By no means was his grasp of English bad, it’s certainly better than most of our French! Even so, you could see Claude found it difficult to put his ideas across as he wanted due to the language barrier- and his mild-mannered persona didn’t give him that relationship with the fanbase.

By no means was his lack of charisma his fault, Puel seemed like a very nice person, but the absence of this characteristic robbed him of any significant goodwill with the fanbase. Resultantly, when things became worse there was little credit in the bank for Puel to fall back on. Actions such as not taking the cups seriously at Man City and Newport really angered an already disgruntled fanbase. By the time of the Newport defeat, it did feel like Claude was living on borrowed time.

Legacy

Whilst Claude Puel may not be fondly remembered by some Foxes fans, his successor Brendan Rodgers has benefitted from some of the groundwork laid by the Frenchman. Brendan Rodgers has managed to use many of the players signed by Puel, and transform the style into a much more exciting brand of football (generally!).

More negatively, the prosaic football the Foxes are prone to playing seems to have remained ingrained in the system- with LCFC continuing to struggle against deep blocks under Brendan Rodgers.

Ultimately, whilst Puel failed to finish the process which he started; he laid the foundations for the huge successes Brendan Rodgers and this current Leicester City side have enjoyed. For this, he must be given adequate credit rather than ridiculed like many Foxes fans have done as much of what has happened now wouldn’t have taken place without this transition period.