Claude Puel has headed off on holiday with his future as Saints boss yet to be confirmed.

Puel has his end of season debrief with the club’s football chiefs, led by vice-chairman Les Reed, and has now jetted away for a break with his family after a gruelling first year at St Mary’s.

While Puel’s initial contribution to the club’s end of season review is now complete, back at Staplewood there is still much reflection taking place.

One of the top items on the agenda is the manager’s position, with the club well aware that a large portion of the fan base have turned on Puel and would like to see a change.

Nobody could accuse Saints under the leadership of Reed of making kneejerk reactions under pressure, and again the club are taking their time to digest the ramifications of potentially changing manager.

The two major factors to be taken into consideration are whether the club will progress in the way they desire if Puel remains in charge.

And, vitally, whether there is a manager out there who Saints could land who will do a better job and take them to where they want to go.

Puel’s first season in charge was far from the disaster that some have portrayed. Indeed, many neutrals are puzzled as to why there would even be a question mark surrounding his future after he guided Saints to an eighth placed Premier League finish and the EFL Cup final.

Closer to the club the frustrations over the lack of entertainment, and, in particular, goals at St Mary’s have bubbled over.

When it comes to any possible replacement, Saints will want to know they can get a top target before making a change.

Reed will be all too aware that simply pleasing the crowd by sacking Puel would not be in the best interests if they end up having to settle on a replacement, or are forced into a massive gamble.

In that scenario it would be possible to argue that sticking with Puel is a better bet, but whether or not that will happen is likely to become clear as the review concludes in the coming days.