Leicester City have sacked manager Claude Puel after Saturday’s 4-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace, the club has announced.
Puel leaves the King Power Stadium with the club 12th in Premier League table after a run of five defeats in their last six matches in the competition, with that run also including a 1-1 draw at Liverpool.
The Foxes also suffered a shock exit in the FA Cup third-round to League Two side Newport County on Jan. 6.
The club released a statement on Sunday morning which reads: “Leicester City Football Club has today (Sunday) parted company with Claude Puel, who leaves his position as First Team Manager with immediate effect.
“Assistant Manager Jacky Bonnevay also departs with the Club’s best wishes. First Team Coaches Mike Stowell and Adam Sadler, supported by the Club’s established backroom staff, will assume responsibility for the senior squad while the Club begins the process of appointing a new manager.”
The Frenchman said after the defeat to Palace: “Of course it is a difficult and worrying time.
“We were in trouble at the end. It is normal for the fans to be worried, I understand this. The players need confidence, they have played well without fair reward in the last few games.”
Puel leaves the club he joined in October 2017, having previously managed in the Premier League at Southampton. He was the club’s second full-time manager since they memorably won the Premier League title in 2015-16 under Claudio Ranieri.