Leicester could name Claude Puel as their new boss in the next 48 hours

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Claude Puel is closing in on the Leicester manager job after holding two positive interviews with club hierarchy.

The Frenchman is at the stage of discussing assistants and could be named as Craig Shakespeare’s successor in the next 48 hours.

Michael Appleton’s position as No 2 is part of negotiations but it is thought Puel would also like to bring Pascal Plancque, who was an assistant at Southampton.

Frenchman Claude Puel could be named as Leicester manager in the next 48 hours

Puel wants to bring Pascal Plancque, who was an assistant at Southampton

Sporting director Jon Rudkin has led Leicester’s search for a third manager in eight months following the sackings of Shakespeare and Claudio Ranieri and has been impressed by Puel.

The 56-year-old Frenchman was dismissed by Southampton in June after one season which saw them finish eighth and reach the League Cup final.

But supporters were underwhelmed by the style of play and Puel’s reserved public persona, while Southampton lost 16 Premier League games to only end up six points above 17th.

Leicester have looked beyond that campaign alone to Puel’s work at Lyon, where he guided the team to a first Champions League semi-final and brought through young players. He also won Ligue 1 with Monaco in 2000.

Appleton, who has won both his games as caretaker manager, said at present he expects to pick the team against Everton on Sunday but appreciates circumstances may change soon.

The 41-year-old, who left his role as Oxford manager to become Shakespeare’s No 2 this summer, said: ‘It’s been a big of a rollercoaster, to say the least. It's been a difficult week, no doubt about that, to lose your manager. 

'It certainly would have been a lot tougher had we not won the last two games. We've tried to stay in a positive frame of mind and stay professional.

Michael Appleton's role as Leicester No 2 is still being negotiated with Puel

‘When I first spoke to the powers-that-be, it was a matter of taking every game as it comes and making sure the lads are prepared as best as they can be. I'm sure I'll have more information over the coming days and weeks.

‘As it stands, I'm expecting to take the team on Sunday but ultimately I know things can move quickly, or slowly, depending on situations. I'm not thinking that far ahead.’