Claude Puel under scrutiny at Nice as results trail Franck Haise, future uncertain | OneFootball

According to L'Équipe, Claude Puel’s Ligue 1 return at Nice has yielded a worse points average than predecessor Franck Haise, and Le Havre’s visit on Sunday at 17:15 is sizeable for survival.

Back since 29 December, Puel enters his 13th league game with two wins, four draws and six defeats, equating to 0.83 points per match against Haise’s 1.06.

He has not lost the dressing room, his experience and pedagogy remain assets, yet several calls have jarred. He dropped Yévhann Diouf for Maxime Dupé while the Senegalese returned from the Africa Cup of Nations, then reversed six games later, and fielded Tanguy Ndombele up front at Lorient, advancing on penalties.

Against Paris SG, a 0-4 defeat, he started Youssouf Ndayishimiye in midfield for his first start in 11 months despite weight issues and a preference for defence, and the Burundian was sent off. Isak Jansson also started in the 1-3 loss at Strasbourg, was withdrawn at half-time, and neither he nor Sofiane Diop returned to the bench. Questions linger over Antoine Mendy, Tom Louchet, Juma Bah and frequent interval changes.

Puel stays phlegmatic, insisting performances have lacked reward. He nearly left training on Thursday over a sluggish warm-up, counts five poor sessions and two abysmal matches, Rennes 0-4 on eight March and at Strasbourg 1-3. He says he would remain next season if they stay up, though the club have not decided, with Grégory Lorenzi expected to replace Florian Maurice and Alexandre Dujeux linked as a possible successor.

Source: L'Équipe