Claude Puel believes he will still be in his post as manager of 2016 Premier League champions Leicester City next season despite rumors of him again facing the sack.

The 56-year-old Frenchman who was fired by Southampton at the end of the 2016/17 campaign despite reaching the League Cup final and finishing eighth in the table says he did not come in to replace Craig Shakespeare last October just to save the club’s place among the elite and then leave.

Puel who tasted success early in his coaching career when he led Monaco to the 2000 French Ligue 1 title has seen his position come under fierce scrutiny from fans with just five wins in their last 20.

However, he will still be only the second coach of The Foxes this century to guide them to a top 10 Premier League finish Italian Claudio Ranieri’s title win being the other one.

Puel, who received the backing of Thai owners chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and his son Top after a meeting earlier this week, said it was crucial to give a decent run to the manager to allow the club to progress on the pitch.