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Puel asks Southampton fans to show Koeman respect

Southampton manager Claude Puel believes former boss Ronald Koeman deserves respect when he returns to St Mary's Stadium on Sunday.

Koeman will get a frosty reception when he returns to St. Mary's. Credit: PA

The Dutchman is unsure of what reception will await him when he heads to the south coast for the first time since leaving the club to take over at Everton in the summer.

Koeman was the subject of some supporters' ire when he decided not to honour the third year of his contract, having finished seventh and sixth in his two seasons since replacing Mauricio Pochettino.

Frenchman Puel, though, wants everyone to focus on delivering the required performance rather than proving a point to their former boss.

Puel said at a press conference:

I think he did very good at Southampton last season, to get the players to be able to (qualify) for playing European games. I have a lot of respect for his work.

I saw him when I was a trainer at Lyon and he was coaching in Europe, he is a good trainer. Of course it should be a positive reaction for the players to see their former trainers.

For the fans it is important to respect also all of his work here and to now be behind their team.

– Southampton manager Claude Puel