麻豆约拍

Claude Puel's future as Southampton boss will be decided at the end of the season, says chairman Ralph Krueger.

Although Saints are looking to secure another top-eight finish, and reached the League Cup final, speculation remains about Puel's role.

Krueger told 麻豆约拍 Radio Solent: "The time for a football analysis is next week, after the season [is over].

"If we, for the fourth season in a row, end up in the top half of the table, that's a good record to build on."

Krueger stopped short of saying Puel, 55, was safe in his job, adding that he never commented on football-related decisions.

But he defended the club's progress under the Frenchman, pointing to the club's league position, currently eighth, and defeat by Manchester United in the League Cup final at Wembley.

"As a club, we've taken another step this year in many different ways," Krueger said.

"At the cup final, our fans were on display to the world on a level that I've not seen since I've been in England. We certainly won in the fan category but lost painfully on the pitch.

"But the experience itself gave us a new dimension. The hunger is tremendous to find a way back into Europe."

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