Jamie Vardy reveals Leicester boss Claude Puel almost injured him ahead of Peterborough clash with training ground tackle
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JAMIE VARDY was almost left crocked for today’s tie at Peterborough — by his own manager!
Leicester’s striker revealed Claude Puel joins in training with his Foxes stars and HATES losing.
Although the Frenchman appears mild-mannered, Vardy claims boss Puel gets fired up behind the scenes.
And he admitted there are times when he has to dodge a few tasty challenges from the 56-year-old.
Vardy, speaking at the second-year launch of his V9 Academy — which promotes non-league talent to the professional game — will face one of his graduates Posh defender Alex Penny today.
And the England striker said of his all-action boss: “I had to laugh on Tuesday. The gaffer joined in with training and the ball was between me and him and he launched himself into a tackle. He does like to do that.
“I moved out the way and started laughing to myself: ‘Wow, here we go!’
“I made sure the next one we were shoulder to shoulder and I tried to give him a little nudge and get him off the ball.
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“There was no concern whatsoever for me. That’s just how he is as a person. But believe me, he gets really upset if he’s on the losing team.
“He likes to get involved and still has his playing days in his head. It’s good he does that, it’s enjoyable to be around the training ground knowing he can join in. That’s what made him the type of manager he is.
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“He’s got plenty of ability, that is probably one of the reasons why he likes joining in, knowing he’s not going to be made to look a fool.
“That’s football, you train as you want to play. But I don’t think the gaffer’s realised he’s not got a chance to play himself on Saturday!
“You can have a laugh and a joke but be serious at the right time. With all he’s brought to the table everyone’s respected him from day one.”
And Puel’s reputation as a hardman on the field is something Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger knows well.
Last season, Wenger recalled Puel never holds back — even in training. He was on the receiving end of a Puel tackle while in charge at Monaco.
The Gunners chief said last season: “Puel was well known in training to be a good tackler.
“Even on the morning of a cup final he could tackle and even if it was the manager then no problem!”
Puel has guided Leicester to seventh in the table and is aiming for an FA Cup fifth-round spot. But Vardy says this is different to Claudio Ranieri who inspired them to the Premier League title two years ago.
Vardy added: “I’d say they’re completely different. The gaffer’s doing gym and everything at the training ground, he still likes to keep himself in shape.
He’s a very hands-on manager. He’ll pull you aside to have one-on-one conversations, as well as getting involved in training.
“It’s been a revolution for us and given us another option.”
And Vardy played down speculation over a move away from the club.
The 31-year-old, who in the summer of 2016 turned down the chance to join Arsenal, has this month been linked with Everton and Chelsea.
The Blues boss Antonio Conte wants to ease the burden on Alvaro Morata.
But Vardy is committed to the Foxes. When asked about the interest, he said: “Who have I been linked with today? Chelsea, they’ve been linked with everybody haven’t they?
“You have to take things like this with a pinch of salt, it’s just rumours.
“Usually it gets started by someone throwing a few quid on it at the bookies. I’m just concentrating on Leicester until the club tell me otherwise.”
But Puel is looking to add to his squad ahead of the window closing next week.
He said: “I am interested in strengthening — if we can.”