OGC Nice has officially appointed Puel as new coach

The sixty-four-year-old manager signed a contract running until the end of the season, replacing Franck Haise, who was dismissed late on Sunday. This marks a return for Puel to the Côte d'Azur side, having previously managed them from 2012 to 2016. His second tenure begins immediately, with his debut scheduled for January 3 against Strasbourg at home in Ligue 1.

Puel faces a huge challenge, tasked with rescuing Nice from thirteenth place following a campaign plagued by on-field struggles and intense off-field turmoil. The team is currently suffering from a historic nine-match losing streak, causing severe friction with frustrated supporters, some of whom have physically attacked several players.

The board hopes Puel’s vast experience with Monaco, Lille, Lyon, Southampton, and Leicester will help stabilize the fractured squad and finally end their record-breaking losing slump.