Claude Puel has tipped Eddie Howe to succeed Arsene Wenger in Arsenal’s top job in the future.
The current Southampton boss Puel worked under the French boss at Monaco when Wenger led them to the Ligue 1 title in 1988, and actually spent his entire playing career with the club.
Puel managed to replicate his former manager’s credentials by helping Monaco lift the Ligue title in the year 2000, and has now followed him to the Premier League to ply his trade with the Saints.
His side are set to take on Bournemouth this weekend, and he has moved to praise the work being done by his upcoming opponent Eddie Howe, claiming he would be a great fit for the Arsenal job in the future.
Eddie has the same philosophy as Wenger,” Puel said.
“Eddie likes good technical players, like Arsene. If one day he can manage Arsenal, that would be a good choice.
“It is always important when a team has a good philosophy to keep this philosophy with the same profile of players. It is important to keep the same quality, same spirit. It is important to continue this good work.”
Howe has been linked with the Gunners job for some time now, and with Jack Wilshere having joined the Cherries on loan this season, the speculation has continued to increase.
The Bournemouth manager is now the outright favourite to come in when Arsene does finally give up the hotseat, currently being priced as short as 2/1 (3.0) for the role, with the next in the market being Ralph Hasenhuttl at a shortest-priced 8/1 (9.0).
Puel himself is also in the market at around 33/1 (34.0) which looks rather big considering the obvious comparisons between himself and Arsene Wenger, who will likely have a say in who his successor is, just as Sir Alex did for Manchester United.
Does Howe impress you? Would you begrudge his appointment?
Pat J