This week Super Sunday lined up Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City as it’s Premier League curtain-raiser and all eyes were set to be on Foxes manager Claude Puel and star striker Jamie Vardy after the English forward was caught mouthing the phrase ‘f*cking kn*bhead’ apparently in his boss’ direction following the 1-0 defeat to Manchester United last weekend.
Youri Tielemans, on loan from AS Monaco, was granted his debut in the Leicester starting XI, coming into the side along with Rachid Ghezzal.
Wilfried Ndidi and Vardy suffered as a consequence and were dropped to the bench.
Puel has himself said of the furore surrounding the relationship between him and Vardy;
"I have a good relationship with him. We know Jamie - after he lost he is angry, it's normal for a player.
"If I thought one of my players was disrespectful to me or the club there would be a sanction but that was not the case."
Some fans weren’t best pleased and seemed to insinuate that Puel is not long for the club, whereas some applauded the Frenchman for taking the stance and the risk;
On social media, when the criticism was harsh, there was no holding back;
“That’s right finally play a creative midfielder who can supply Vardy with through balls. But the Clown Puel decides to drop #vardy altogether.” (@LCFC1000)
“Sack Claude Puel man I’m tired of Spurs getting let off the hook so much he’s benched Vardy and Ndidi to play Demarai Gray up front” (@MartialCF)
“If Vardy is dropped as punishment, then why is he on the bench, doesn't make sense, especially if he comes on and scores the winner it will prove he was right to call Puel a kn*bhead” (@m1963h)
“Puel hasn't got a clue... He had to go... Just today for example.. Why would anybody drop Ndidi and Vardy to the bench?” (@TomGreenLCFC)
"@LCFC please get rid of Puel before he completely wrecks the club and the connection with the fans. Dropping Vardy again against Spurs? Insane.” (@AlexM11)
Many football fans were strongly in support of Puel however;
“All the fans moaning about vardy being dropped if you publicly call your manager what he did on camera he deserves it # players running the game has to stop fare play puel. Unfortunately players will get there way again and will get sacked. (@Gazlavine)
“I genuinely hope Puel can pull this out the bag, massive risk dropping Vardy and keeping Mendy in when should’ve been sent off vs Man U, v attacking line up tbf so hoping if Spurs are complacent we can catch them out, come on you Foxes!” (@RaithathaAmar)
Whatever your opinion, the rumours of the rift between the manager and player are surely going to swell.
