The Frenchman is doing okay as Southampton manager thus far.
Speaking to The Daily Echo, Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse has revealed what manager Claude Puel said to the group on his first day.
Southampton have a rich recent history of seeing their academy prospects develop into key first-team figures.
Such a tradition is very much part of the club, and Ward-Prowse, being a Saints product himself, say it was “pleasing” to see the French manager reassure the players that he had no plans to go against this idea.
“He (Puel) made it clear on the first day he was here that it was the case that the pathway is there for young players,” said the 21-year-old to The Daily Echo.
“He said that they (the young players) have just got to come on and take their opportunity and impress when they can.
“It’s pleasing to see that.”
One thing which may be considered unacceptable by Southampton fans would be if a manager completely went against such principles.
But Puel clearly intends to respect the tradition. Ward-Prowse scored in the Saints’ 3-0 win at West Ham United on the weekend, which was Puel’s second victory since replacing Ronald Koeman in the summer.
The ex-Nice coach, whose side face Premier League champions Leicester on Sunday, has also drawn two and lost two.
Nurturing young players and selling them on for huge profits has also been a major part the economical side of Southampton, with the likes of Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Luke Shaw fetching big transfer fees.
Southampton manager Claude Puel during training
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