Foxes boss may be favourite for the sack, but he blasts his critics as ‘crazy’
NO HURRY FOR HASENHUTTL
we are better in our jobs. Sometimes we will judge the players and don’t know what is happening in their private lives. It’s a big influence. We are going to try and help. In the case of Gabriel, it’s like this.”
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo says Guardiola has already shown enough to be ranked alongside the greatest managers of all time.
Nuno takes his Premier League fledglings to The Etihad on Monday night for their latest progress report.
But Nuno said: “I admire him a lot. He is one of the best of all time.” King Power Stadium: 3pm DEFIANT Claude Puel has come out fighting at Leicester after branding his critics “crazy”.
The Frenchman is the bookies’ favourite for the sack in the Premier League after the Foxes’ shock FA Cup exit at League Two Newport County.
He can expect flak from unhappy supporters today at home to his old club Southampton following the embarrassing televised loss.
Puel made seven changes for the defeat despite grief for doing exactly the same for the EFL Cup quarter-final exit on penalties at home to Manchester City, who got Burton next.
It has upset fans who have seen the seventh-placed club’s only hopes of silverware going up in smoke.
But Puel, 57, in charge since October 2017, hit back yesterday about expectations at the former champions and said: “We need to give time to the truth and not believe it’s possible for all players to play all the games.
“If the objective in the Premier League is to finish 15th-16th, perhaps we can put another time 11 starting players in the Cup.
“We tried to have objectives in all competitions. For the moment, seventh is a very good position with fantastic work.
“People forget a lot of things and our possibilities. We take a lot of encouragement from developing a lot of young players.
“Other teams, like West Ham, Wolves and Everton, have spent a lot more money than us.
“One time, it was exceptional and Leicester won the title. If people think that’s normality in the Premier League, then it’s not the truth.
“There’s a difference for Leicester in the possibilities and what people are expecting.
“Seventh is not bad and if 8th is, then it’s crazy. I think it’s a shame because for the club to improve it needs stability.”
Puel says critics must take into account losing star-man Riyad Mahrez to Manchester City last summer for £60million leading to a net spend of just around £25m, plus his commendable track record of developing young talent like Ben Chilwell, Hamza Choudhury and James Maddison. Puel was dismissed from Southampton after coming eighth in his sole season in charge in 2016/2017.
The Frenchman is not the most charismatic coach in the Premier League, but added: “I know managers with a great image, but their teams are in the Championship.” Hasenhuttl (below) must rely on Long, who has scored just two goals in his last 66 games, at Leicester today. The manager said: “We are looking to bring someone in, but don’t want to be hurried.
“If we are 100 per cent sure this guy makes us better, then we will take a decision.”