Liverpool managerial candidate Franck Haise of RC Lens: What to learn about an unlikely man linked with Anfield

Jurgen Klopp’s successor at Anfield has been the topic of hypothesis for the reason that Liverpool supervisor introduced again in late January that he could be leaving his place on the finish of this season as a result of fatigue after 9 years within the function. The German tactician has gained all of it throughout his time main the Reds with Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup and EFL Cup titles to his identify to not point out shot at a UEFA Europa League crown by the top of this marketing campaign to raised his present runners-up greatest in that competitors.

It was sudden, then, that one of many candidates linked with Liverpool’s plan to succeed Klopp is RC Lens head coach Frank Haise who EPL followers may bear in mind as the person who led the French outfit towards Arsenal earlier on this time period’s UCL group stage. Not least to the person himself.

“What can I say? It’s good,” Haise mentioned lately. “It’s recognition of the work that has been accomplished, a job that I’ve not accomplished alone. If we’re speaking about information, outcomes and enjoying model — all of that may be a collective effort. It’s recognition for me which we are able to all take a little bit satisfaction in. It’s also recognition of the work accomplished by the membership over the previous 4 years or so.”

Let’s check out the outsider candidate to comply with within the former Borussia Dortmund boss’ footsteps and analyze what it could possibly be that has put him on the Anfield radar.

Who’s Franck Haise?

Turning 53 subsequent month and hailing from the Normandy area of France, Haise’s enjoying profession was largely unremarkable beginning with hometown membership FC Rouen 1899 and taking in two spells with Stade Lavallois earlier than ending professionally with Angers SCO in 2004. Six years with Stade Rennais’ youth academy inbetween two spells as a head coach at regional degree led him to FC Lorient the place he coached the reserves, was assistant to Sylvain Ripoll after which Bernard Casoni earlier than transferring on to Lens.

Haise led Les Sang et Or’s reserves for 3 years earlier than stepping as much as exchange Philippe Montanier in 2020 simply earlier than COVID-19 and its wider affect devastated French soccer. It was simply sufficient time to maneuver Lens into second spot in Ligue 2, which was sufficient to be promoted again to Ligue 1 after 5 years within the second tier and Haise was confirmed as full-time head coach upon completion of his skilled soccer teaching {qualifications} in Might of that very same 12 months.

What has he accomplished with Lens?

Lens’ return to Le Championnat has been nothing wanting outstanding with the Northerners no decrease than seventh in every of Haise’s three full seasons in cost and looking out prone to end in that candy spot once more and ensure a return to Europe after this marketing campaign’s journey throughout the Champions League and Europa League. Inevitably, different golf equipment began to take a look at Lens’ magic man together with OGC Good who managed to tempt sporting director Florent Ghisolfi away from Stade Bollaert Delelis, however an improve to the joint function of basic supervisor and head coach was sufficient to maintain Haise with the membership for his largest achievement but.

The excessive level underneath the French tactician up to now has been ending second in Ligue 1 in 2023 only one single level behind Paris Saint-Germain regardless of a staggering distinction in finances which earned Haise the UNFP head coach of the 12 months award. Nevertheless, he has since stepped away from the final supervisor function and has reverted to being head coach as soon as extra: “It was a private resolution which I had been reflecting on for a couple of weeks — not less than since late 2023,” he mentioned of the transfer. “I made this resolution at the start to protect my power. I’m not basic supervisor so not paid the identical, however that’s regular. It isn’t due to stress. If it was, I’d not be teaching. I can deal with stress, however it’s a must to hearken to your self and to your physique sooner or later.”

Haise has been linked with jobs outdoors of France earlier than with Brighton and Hove Albion probably the most notable hyperlinks after Graham Potter’s departure however Roberto De Zerbi obtained the job. Rennes have been linked with an try to deliver him again to Brittany whereas Olympique de Marseille could possibly be a summer season risk as a long-term alternative for Jean-Louis Gasset. Liverpool, although, is doubtless the largest membership to have been linked with Haise up to now. Assuming Lens return to Europe after their disappointing UEL exit by the hands of SC Freiburg lately, Les Artesiens may really feel assured of getting him to conform to an improved contract with added funding into the squad.

How does he set the crew up?

Stylistically, a lot of what Haise has accomplished with Lens since returning to Ligue 1 has centered on a tough 3-4-3 form which is extra exactly a 3-4-2-1 once you take a look at the three most attacking gamers. A lot of the width comes from wing backs who chip in defensively in addition to offensively, whereas the principle energy of the crew is channeled by means of the center with three central defenders and two central midfielders with two supporting attackers for creativity making up the backbone of the XI.

This method places main emphasis on the participant on the tip of the assault which is why extremely rated Montpellier HSC prospect Elye Wahi was chosen to exchange Lois Openda after the Belgium worldwide left for RB Leipzig the place he has continued to excel. Regardless of quite a lot of key departures which have contributed in direction of Lens’ spectacular enterprise acumen, Haise has discovered a method to hold his crew aggressive with the replacements made obtainable to him or options from throughout the ranks.

Which gamers have flourished underneath him?

The record is prolonged, however Openda wanted only one season underneath Haise earlier than being offered on to Leipzig for nearly $45 million which is roughly 3 times what Lens paid Vitesse Arnhem for him 12 months earlier. Seko Fofana was considered one of Ligue 1’s best-performing midfielders for 3 seasons earlier than transferring on to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia once more for round 3 times the quantity that the Northern membership paid for him upon their topflight return with $27.5 million representing Lens’ all-time second greatest sale after Openda. Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure was a youth academy graduate and likewise fetched almost $25 million whereas defender Loic Bade vaulted to Rennes after only one 12 months underneath Haise having arrived as a free agent and leaving for almost $20 million.

Jonathan Clauss and Brice Samba have been known as up by France head coach Didier Deschamps whereas enjoying for Lens underneath Haise and the previous is now exceling for Olympique de Marseille. Facundo Medina and Kevin Danso are frequently known as up at worldwide degree because of their enchancment with Lens whereas Wahi, Andy Diouf and Angelo Fulgini are the subsequent gems anticipated to flourish underneath Haise — ought to he keep. Maybe probably the most spectacular of all, although, not less than in efficiency phrases, has been the consistency extracted from primarily Ligue 2 journeymen Jonathan Gradit and Florian Sotoca who stay common starters even now, together with cut price signing and versatile Poland worldwide Przemyslaw Frankowski who was with Chicago Fireplace in Main League Soccer earlier than.

How might he go well with Liverpool?

Haise has been surrounded by individuals who know English soccer nicely since his ascension to the job with Lens. His former assistant Alou Diarra performed for Liverpool throughout his profession in addition to West Ham United and Charlton Athletic whereas his principal proper hand man Lilian Nalis spent almost 10 years in England with the likes of Leicester Metropolis and Sheffield United amongst others. Ghisolfi, who had a say in changing Montanier with Haise again in 2020, has additionally been linked with Liverpool and the Good man labored nicely because the architect for the foundations upon which Haise has managed to assemble this strong Lens facet. The overall supervisor function has proved to be extra taxing than anticipated, however Lens needed to supply that and a task change to Gregory Thil to maintain them from following Ghisolfi to Good. Thil has since left however Haise has secured notable outcomes with a lot of the crew constructed with Ghisolfi together with a well-known 2-1 residence win over Arsenal on this 12 months’s group stage and eliminating Sevilla from Europe fully.

Is Haise Klopp succession materials?

Following on from Klopp can be an unenviable process for even probably the most skilled of managers though Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso has an edge as a former Liverpool participant and an unbelievable Bundesliga marketing campaign up to now. Questions will seemingly be requested of Haise’s European pedigree, nevertheless it ought to be famous that he ended a 15-year anticipate continental soccer at Stade Bollaert Delelis and led Lens from Ligue 2 to second place and only a single level behind the juggernaut of PSG. It won’t include the titles that Alonso appears destined to win with Leverkusen this time period nevertheless it deserves higher credit score that’s typically given.

Nevertheless, arguably the largest problem for anyone following on from Klopp can be attempting to harness the Anfield crowd and the passionate Liverpool fanbase. As with the late Gerard Houllier earlier than him, Haise has been ready nicely for English soccer by Lens’ cult supporters who’re among the many most fanatical in France and the membership comes from a comparatively poor area of the nation. When it comes to similarities, Haise’s restoration of Lens isn’t too dissimilar from Klopp’s turnaround of Borussia Dortmund and time will inform if the Frenchman could make the crew extra aggressive in Europe if he stays past this season. One factor is for sure, although, and that’s that the hyperlinks between Haise and Liverpool will not be as laughable and simple to dismiss as some have made out.