WE ARE

told that Gareth Southgate has the impossible job. Not true. Try managing Southampton. Claude Puel was sacked last week, having finished eighth and reaching the League Cup final. The reason, apparently, was Southampton’s style of play. No goals, no excitement, it was claimed. The fans were fed up — and the players, too. So good luck to Puel’s successor. He needs to compete for Europe, while selling his best players — as Southampton always do — yet he must still win games with panache, in a way that keeps the crowd entertained and the players happy. Judging by what was intimated about Ronald Koeman after his departure, the owners probably want him to bring some kids through as well. It might be easier for Southampton managers to please the crowd if the club had not sold Sadio Mane, Victor Wanyama, Graziano Pelle, Nathaniel Clyne, Morgan Schneiderlin, Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana over the last three years. Then again, to admit that this is the reason Southampton no longer play as they used to would mean taking responsibility for a drop in standards that was conveniently shifted on to Puel. In the circumstances, he did rather well. Certainly, his successor has his work cut out.